By Frank Davis
Posted Sunday, February 13, 2005
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If you're hankering for a real fight with some bully-size redfish this weekend, I can point you in the right direction.
Do you know how to get to the backwater marshes at Golden Meadow? Well. . .
You launch behind what used to be the old Crab Shack in Golden Meadow. Then you head out across Catfish Lake. Then once you're well into the network you begin working the marsh and the pipeline deadends in that entire general vicinity. At least until one of them pays off (which I promise it will do!).
"The best spots back here are those that support significant oyster beds, preferably up against a bank," Capt. John Aucoin of Hawkeye Fishing Charters confided in me. " These are the places that attract and hold just about every size class of redfish--they're like fish magnets. I guess, scientifically speaking, it's because the oyster beds create reef habitat that not only provides cover for the cruising redfish but a source of food as well--you know how little baitfish and tiny crabs love to settle into the shells. Redfish instinctively know this, so they hang out there, too.
"The bottom line is. . .fish an area that's void of oyster shells and you'll probably fish and area that's void of fish, too! It's just that simple!"
After a few hours of experimentation this moring, we concluded rather quickly that both a regular stand-alone jighead, as well as a formal sliding Carolina rig, will undoubtedly catch fish as long as they are each baited with a live Cocahoe minnow (at certain spots, you just might be able to get the fish to take market shrimp, but I wouldn't count on it). Aucoin had all of his success on a straight jighead; I, on the other hand, caught all my fish on a Carolina. Action appeared to be a bit more productive on the Carolina configuration.
"I think that was because the egg sinker served to weigh down the terminal rigging and hold it in one spot a little longer than just a jighead," the guide, explained. "Just about the entire time we fished today the tide was ripping! Consequently it had little trouble pushing a quarter-ounce or three-eighths ounce jighead along the bottom; but the Carolina's egg sinker kinda settled between the oyster stickups yet still allowed the live minnow to swim around enticingly! At least, that's how it appeared to us!"
There is a change in tactics to note from last week to this week (last week I told you to move, move, and move some more). This week, however, it seems that a lot of movement hasn't been all that necessary--maybe because of the sudden drop in temperature during mid-week that forced the reds to cluster together.
"I'm finding that most of the redfish are staying put on a few prime spots," Aucoin concluded. "So I suggest you do this--if you find a spot that produces a couple of really good bites, followd by a couple of really good catches, then stay there and keep working it. Persistence will pay off and while it might take you the better part of a full day, you'll also end up with the better part of a full ice chest."
One more thing--the action has been good all week whenever the tide was falling--you might figure that into your weekend strategy.
Now if you want to get out there this weekend, or next week, or the weekend thereafter (because I'm confident that the activity isn't going to slack up any time soon), just scout out the marsh on a "hit and run" basis--try a spot, move; try another spot, move--and don't anchor down until you're confident you're into redfish. Of course, if you need help getting back to where the bully-guys are lurking, and you want some professional company on the marsh, you can call John Aucoin and set up a trip. Just give him a yell at 985-632-6988.
Next week it'll be time to check out Shell Beach once again. I'll bring you up to speed on the goings-on down there the minute that Kenny Campo and I get back to the dock. Until then, be careful and courteous out there.
Visit Frank Davis on the web at www.frankdavis.com
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