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Date: Flat Lining
Title: June 6, 2004
Date: 08 Jun 2004
Time: 10:53:43 -0400
Production fishing for trout is best in 7-9 feet of water bouncing ‘shiner tails’ over the the deep grass beds. However, sharks have pupped and there are countless hungry baby shark swarming the deep grass beds. Baby shark eat anything coming off the top of grass bed. There is a dynamic interplay going on with the trout and shark. Trout can’t eat baby shark, but baby shark can eat a trout. So it boils down to the trout lying low in the grass at this time. In fishing terms, work the shiner tail or jig low and slow just over the top of the grass where the trout are hiding. The trout will pop the bait just off the top of the grass, yet are understandable reluctant, to expose themselves above the the grass. They look out for number one. Low and slow puts the bait where the trout will eat it. Work the bait high off the grass and you present your bait to the puppy sharks. They are entertaining if you want the entertainment. For a good grouper trip, have two light weight rods with sabiki rigs and catch live sardines. Watch the bottom machine to see the clouds of bait and take the time to drop down and catch a couple dozen or so. The bait pods are random, take advantage when you find them. The scaled sardines are ‘the bait’. Bait pods are present from 30 feet out. Flat line? What is it? Run a three foot piece of number five wire six foot below a slip float off the stern on a large spinning reel, whether you’re drifting or on anchor, and let the live or dead bait work. It takes effort to do it. I call the rod the “ Kodak pole”. Whatever takes the bait will generate stories. Take time to set it out. I’ve caught cobia, kingfish, dolphin and others. It has made my day on numerous times. Do a Kodak rod off the stern. Add saltwater and you never know what will happen... Capt B.