Today, this afternoon, had all the important must haves for a good fishing trip. Time, the only essential ingredient, I had. The weather was good enough. Thunderstorms on the horizon, but they rumbled and looked to be drifting away. Wind was just enough to cool things off some.

Stalking redfish in a marsh is about as much fun as I know how to have. The ramp, how I love an empty ramp, was vacant except for one boat launching at the same time as I launched my kayak. My new buddy in the boat was excited. He told me they had been slaughtering the trout and reds lately. Off we went our separate ways.

I paddled along and soon spied a redfish crashing bait up around some giant drift trees. The shot was between the logs. I gave myself a one and ten on the shot and a one in 50 on getting the fish in. I nailed the 1 in 10, got an instant take. Redfish ran directly under the far tree. I could see him on the other side. It didn't last real long, good fish broke off.

I took some more shots at some fish with a missed hook set and some cold shoulders. Found another red around another log. Got the take, fish headed for the shell, but I powered it out of the worst stuff. Mid slot, 5 pound fish to hand.

This shoreline featured moving water falling off to 3' pretty quickly. Every 50-100 yards, a fish was busting bait tight to the bank. I found another taker 200 yards from the previous fish. This fish was not as strong or big, but got down in the current and made the fight interesting. Fish 3 to hand, had one random little red in between as the 2.

I moved into a lake. Water was a little clearer. Saw lots of fish. Ran over some. Saw some up in the cordgrass but it was impossible to get the fly to them. Saw a red crashing bait outside the grass, made the cast, got the torpedo take. Redfish really shallow zooming towards the fly. Boom! Fish went out into the shell, but my 7-8 wgt CGR was enough to steer it away.

So 4 fish to hand. 2 slot fish. Many seen. Many shots. Missed fish. Fish not interested. Spooked fish. Fish impossibly close and I could not quite pull it together in time. Fish up in grass. All good stuff.

My new friend was at the ramp as I returned. I said we must be on the same schedule. He caught one red. I beat him. Childish as it is, I felt good for an instant. But the day was way better.

Epic!
I need to get in on this!

Sweet! That sounds like a great day.

Sounds like a great day.

I'm partly responsible for it. I've been on vacation all week and went to Oklahoma instead of heading for the coast. Anytime I make it down there the wind blows 20 -25 with gusts to 30 pretty much the entire time.

I enjoy your posts. You've got a mix of fresh and saltwater options. I don't run across many reds or specks in the ponds I fish around here.

Solid Post and fish. Good job.

I like that you are putting in more scenery pics. Solid Redfish - good looking fly also.