Two good days of fishing before breaking for Christmas

We were treated to slightly different conditions Saturday morning.  The gulls that worked the day before were no where to be found and a stiff southeast wind was already paving the way for the rapidly approaching cold front at daylight.  There was no doubt a serious blow was on the way.

We ran to the southeast shoreline and fished a hundred yard stretch of shoreline all morning long.  It was protected from the wind and the water clarity was very good.  Both redfish and trout were feeding anywhere from right against the shoreline out to 25 yards from the grass on finger mullet and small shrimp.

We caught fish consistently for three hours before the wind switched around.  Our largest slot red was only 24 inches and we had a couple of trout that were in the 20 inch range, but all of the fish were solid keepers.  We stuck with the same lures as the day before and I do not think one out performed the others.  We threw a Creme Spoiler Shad, a pumpkin Assassin, and a new penny Gulp Shrimp.

We were almost back when the bottom dropped out and the north wind started blowing gravel across the parking lot at The River Rat.  It didn't last long, but it was raining sideways for a little while.

The water was still in the 60-62 degree range Saturday.  It will drop right back down into the mid-50's by tomorrow, but I don't look for the bite to change much except for the gull action.  That has to be just about over.  The best new of all has been that any time we have struggled over the past couple of weeks we just run to the shoreline and continue catching redfish.

I will be back on the water the day after Christmas, but I am on the way to Church this morning and I am going to celebrate Christmas Monday and Tuesday.  I am even more appreciative of the privilege of sharing this special time of the year with our kids and grandkids when I think about the families with young soldiers that cannot do the same.  That privilege comes at a high price and I urge you to take a moment Christmas morning to pray for their families and their safe return. 

I appreciate the many kind words and e-mails this past week and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!