Stoney Bayou Redfish and Trout

Ventured out after class, my usual fishing partners all had other engagements so this was a solo trip. Took the run to Stoney Bayou on a low incoming tide. Once I dodged all the rocks in the bayou and arrived at my spot I immediately hooked up throwing a D.O.A Cal Paddle Tail on a 1/4oz Jig head. Ended up boating a 32" Red after a drag screaming battle. During my fight the Gheenoe was dragged over the hole the Red was sitting in and about ten similarly sized reds took off. I later caught more reds from 23" to an average of 18". I managed to catch one 21" Trout out of a hole by an oyster bar formed on a limestone rock. Headed in when the wind picked up and had a wet ride in.

Sight Casting Reds in the Marsh Pre Cold Front

Started with the morning coffee, and arrived to St. Marks Florida at around 7:45am. Launched at an almost slack low tide, immediately started throwing top waters with no luck. Moved to a large bar with mullet all around throwing paddle tales and top waters and again had no luck.

Moved down the flat to the marsh entrance, poled the flat and ran up on a lone redfish sitting in a sand hole about five feet away from the bow of the boat. Sight casted a DOA Cal paddle tail to the fish and immediately hooked up. Took a couple of runs and then boated a just over slot 28” redfish. Snapped some photos and successfully released the fish to battle another day. 

The tide started to move again so we decided to drift our way into the marsh. TONS of mullet were in the marsh going in with the tide, we successfully slammed with some more reds, trout, and a lone flounder that was caught on the way out of the marsh. 

Ran back to the ramp with an incoming tide and was off the water by 12pm. Weather was beautiful at around 78 degrees with a 5mph wind from the SE. Until Next time Tight Lines!