Even more fresh water!

Wind or no wind, we couldn't stand it any longer and made a short trip yesterday hoping to catch just enough redfish for supper.  As it turned out, we were hard pressed to do that and finally resorted to cut mullet to box five slot fish.  We caught several undersized fish on everything from a Corky to a swim bait, but nothing over 20  inches.

The water clarity, even in Coffee Ground has taken a hit since the Corps of Engineers were forced to pull the level on Rayburn.  I have never seen it as high as it is right now and all of that water will eventually run downhill.  Combined with the water exiting T-Bend right now (both generators 24/7 and the gates open to 1 foot) the lake continues to get even fresher.  I think we just had one of those tough trips as far as the reds are concerned, but the trout are another story.

We took advantage of a small window of opportunity last month and caught a few nice trout wading.  The bulk of those fish were caught wading after dark and none were caught drifting in the boat.  We were seeing a few mullet at that time, but the latest glut of fresh water has apparently moved them as well. As you would expect, the clarity is 6 to 10 inches at best, but muddy water had little or no effect on the trout bite a month ago.

The points at East Pass and the south tip of Stewts were the most consistent areas on the north end and I think that is because they are so close to much deeper water.  If we lose the salinity in the rivers and the ICW, however, we are screwed again as the remaining trout will be forced to move south to survive.  For those of you that have fished with me for years.....yes I check my deep holes in the river at the end of every trip and I am not even marking fish right now.

There may well be a few trout being caught in the ship channel south of the Causeway thanks to the salinity provided by incoming tides, but the folks I am talking with are not among those finding them right now.  Looking forward to the day I can post something good....especially on the north end!

Comments

[Greg]

Thanks for the post. The rain gods need to quit with the fresh water!

[Robert]

Bummer on the report I am fishing tomorrow if no wind going to Jetties if Wind Keith Lake.