Overcast Skies, High Winds, and Bull Redfish

Yesterday we fished and caught plenty of small fish but no big fish.  Although we saw and presented flies perfectly to them we had no strikes at all.  So after a little tweaking of my fly patterns we started day two.  All weather forecast we saw were wrong. We had little to no sun all day and a pretty steady wind, but we knew where the fish were and we now had the flies to catch them.

So here are the big boys….

22lb

 


27lb

32lb

 

Last but not least the 37lb

 

 

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Oct 6-7

Day one started off with a bang with the first cast catching this 20 lb stud.

After this start it was tough to beat. We managed to catch plenty of fish but none this big.  Due to the wind we did have to break out the spin gear but we did keep it interesting by throwing this massive tuna popper.  It was pretty sweet to watch a red take that thing down. 

The second day was even more interesting with the winds blowing 25-30 mph. We fished close to the launch just to keep it safe and sure enough we found fish.  I knew it was going to be good when we pull up and immediately see three tournament boats fishing the same area.  With the winds so bad we actually spent most of our day just staked out in one area, but it was all we needed. We had fish busting around us constantly and when the sun actually came out it was almost a sure thing you were going to get a shot.  Here is one of the many fish we caught.

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Whacking the reds

Mr. Larry whacking the reds, catching lots of fish, but not catching lots of big fish. Water clarity being the key and it hasn’t been the best, some clean some not. Good enough to really pound these voracious eaters with double digit numbers of fish caught each trip! This time of year we need tide and sunshine. We will have a great trip…..

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Double Digit Redfish – Louisiana

Mr. Bob of Michigan giving the reds a lot of trouble, lots of fish caught and beautiful weather. Temps in the upper 70’s FANTASTIC weather ! water clarity coming around a little, for sure good enough for a day of sight fishing catching double digit red fish and having some real good shots at large black. Great trip and a great sportsman….. not a bad caster either
Report Submitted by Captain Rocky Thickstun

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Captain Greg Moon

Captain Greg Moon
Captain Moon was raised on the beaches of California. He has been catching fish his entire life. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy from the University of Santa Barbara, and he moved to New Orleans over four years ago.

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Captain Lucas Bissett

Of my thirty-one years on this earth I have been fishing twenty-six. I learned from an extremely young age just how addicting fishing truly could be. I started my fishing tenure chasing large mouth bass in the back waters of Southern Louisiana. I knew from those first topwater blow-ups that fishing had to be a major part of my life. After getting my first fly-rod at 12, I discovered there was a whole new obsession out there and it was far stronger than I ever knew. Over the years I have lived in a few different states, but what has always remained the same was my passion for fishing and the relentless pursuit I put into catching the next fish. Going to college in Florida exposed me to the world of saltwater fishing where I got my first taste of an array of new species that all seemed to be hard fighting aggressive eating machines. After that first trip, I made it my goal to bring the excitement I experienced to others who weren’t able to experience it on their own. After college, I moved back to my true home and picked up where I had left off. The only difference this time was that I had a fly rod in my hand and I was ready to prowl the marshes of our coast in search of the fishing fix I was in desperate need off. Fly Fishing has brought me a level of excitement I can’t put into words, the only way to truly experience it is to come down here and do it!

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Sunday Sept.18

David and Kevin of baton rouge giving it their best, as was I , rough water, dirty water, 50% clouds, approaching front, 20mph ESE winds with gust, fish would not go out of their way for the fly’s and shots at VISIBLE fish where few. These guys fished hard! Had some shots at 30lb. jacks but the wind and visibility made for tough casting conditions and we didn’t connect, we are still fishing……………………………………………………………………………………………

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The Wood Women

Biloxi Marsh Redfish

With blue bird skies and just a slight breeze I figure I could take my girlfriend Lauren and her mother Lele out to do some easy sight fishing for some hungry redfish.  Well the water was not as clear as i wanted but still we were able to see. The problem was there was no tide and no fish actively feeding.  We managed to get a hand full of shots and Lele even capitalized on one.  Lauren did have a shot on about a 40lb+ Black drum but he wasn’t having anything to do with her fly.

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Venice in August


summer redfish

I fished the IFA redfish tour Louisiana division this weekend out of Grand Isle and finished 9th.  It was a good finish overall and I can always be happy with a top ten finish. Although due to a miserable boat ride from Venice to Grand Isle then back to Venice then back to Grand Isle I refused to go back toVenice by boat.  I felt bad for ditching my partner but riding with no console in front of you is totally different then riding with one in front of you.

After spending the end of last week scouting for this tournament in Venice I have located some interesting and fishy areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I convinced Moon to fish Venice the following morning because not only was the fishing good but i could get a ride back to my car and boat.  Well the fishing didn’t disappoint.  The giant gar were not there like they were friday but the redfish and sheepshead were easily seen in the gin clear water we were fishing.

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8/18 Fly Fishing Early Morning Redfish

Fly fishing guru Damon Newpher’s of Pennsylvanian fly.( www.pa-flyfishing.com). We had another early start of a day, lots of happy reds early and Damon took full advantage. Whacking a red about every five minutes or so, I think he might be mad at our Louisiana redfish!! Don’t know how many we whacked but whack’em he did. Still average redfish for this time of year all between 5-9lbs. had a little bonus fish ol’wiley and tougher to hook the sheepshead or convict as we call them

Back at the ramp by 9:30am, sweet trip good job Damon hope to see you back.

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8/21 Tailing Summer Redfish

Fished with Mr. Ewald and Ms. Kelly from www.grabherflyfishing.com.  Conditions weren’t the best in the marsh today but skilled casters on the boat made the best of it.  Neither Kelly nor Ewald had ever caught a redfish before and Kelly was looking to land her first saltwater fish on the fly.  Ewald was able to achieve his goal by placing precise shots in difficult spots capitalizing on the few opportunities he was offered.  Kelly was able to achieve both her goals in one well placed cast and did it in grand fashion casting to, and catching, a tailing red!  All in all a fun day of firsts, thanks guys for sharing your experiences with me.

Capt Rocky

Salty Fly Expeditions

 

 

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8/20 Big Nasty Summertime Redfish

I had Ted & Kim of www.fishermensspot.com today on board,  going for the GIANTS! rolled out at 4:00am to catch a perfect condition for some trophy class redfish. Our early arrival  to THE SPOT really paid off, the bigguns where already there waiting for a crab fly breakfast and I had the anglers on board to serve it up!!  Teds first red ever to cast too was a 27lb big nasty.  Hard to top huh? Continued floating around, almost tarpon style for these fish, 20 minutes later ted strips down on another big nasty and he came off,5 minutes later Ted serves up another tasty crab fly and that fish pulled! Not good, quick change of the fly, back on watch one more school and…….. 32lb.BIG NASTY! Congratulations TED for a real trophy class Louisiana redfish.

Capt Rocky

Salty Fly Expeditions

 

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8/19 Duck Pond Redfish

Had Jeff & Tony  from Colorado today chasing redfish back in the duck ponds, little or no tide made it a tough day on the water. Fish would eat the shrimp pattern flies the best today but were  kind of picky! Really wanted perfect fly placement. Great casters on the skiff makes a bad day look good. Thanks guys for making the shots…… we where rewarded!!!

Capt Rocky

Salty Fly Expeditions

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8/20 Quad Slam

Rocky and I picked up our guys today at 4:00am and headed SSW to a super secret honey hole Captain Lucas turned us on to.  Right off the bat we new we weren’t in Delacroix anymore due to the shark fins breaking the surface at the first spot we stopped at.  As the day progressed it was unlike any other I have had.  It began by walking in ankle deep water stalking small drum with their backs out of the water.  After catching one we decided to go after our targeted species big redfish! We see our first school and blow our shot but on the next school we hook up and of course its the smallest fish in the school but still a good 10-12 lbs.  We continue seeing fish, have a few hook ups and land one more before we decide to focus our attention on the sharks we keep seeing cruising the flats.  We rig up the 12 weight with some heavy leader and a monster fly and go after them.  We get a few big boys to nose it but never got a take on a big one, we did catch a little two footer black tip though.  Finishing the day and our quad slam we throw a shrimp pattern in a deeper hole on the flats and catch a trout just to say we did. Rocky had a pretty incredible day as well. His report is coming soon….

Capt Miles

985-264-7556

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8/18-8/19 Redfish Tells

Both days have been extremely hot with the heat index reaching 110+ but when it is this hot it means there is no wind.  Is the heat miserable? Yes. Is the fishing good enough to make you forget about the heat? Yes.  When there is no wind it allows you to spot a redfish’s tell or movement from a far distance away.  Whether its a fish busting on a bank, finning on the surface, tailing looking for food, or just straight cruising with his huge triangle head wake, the lack of wind makes redfishing a more visual game then it already is.  Both days we saw all of these examples and multiple times at that.  We caught plenty of fish and never really noticed the bite shut down. The bite did slow down but never stopped all together.  At one point we saw so many fish actively feeding in a pocket we threw on a topwater and stuck one and missed another.  This was late morning too which is somewhat unusual.

Capt Miles

985-264-7556

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8/17 Deja Vu

I had Riaz back on the boat for a second day of tremendous fly fishing action.  We decided to try our hand at catching reds on top-water.  I tied on a redfish popper and Riaz did the rest, laying down shot after shot with surgical precision.  As a guide it is always a treat to have a great caster on the boat and the last two days I have been treated.  Riaz picked off red after red like a sniper taking out the enemy.  We finished the day with fish over 8 pounds and a boat load of memories.

Capt Rocky

Salty Fly Expeditions

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8/16 Early Redfish Action

An early start was the key to success Tuesday morning as Riaz and I got on the water at daylight.  Living in San Francisco hasn’t afforded Riaz any opportunities at redfish on the fly so he was eager to get a shot at his first.  We didn’t have to wait long before we were hooked up.  In fact, Riaz was able to land his first three reds on his first three casts!  The day was filled with hungry reds ranging in size from 4 to 10 pounds and we finished the day in double digits.

Capt Rocky

Salty Fly Expeditions

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8/13 Venice Day 2

Had the pleasure of fishing with the Kerr family this day.  With the low winds and mostly clear skies it was a very successful day. In the morning I took out the son James Albert and the mom Dawn.  Well immediately  we start catching fish.  Dawn gets her first red on the fly and James Albert has 8 before lunch.  At lunch we head back to Venice Marina where I switch Dawn for Albert.  We get him out there and he catches his first redfish on the fly and James Albert catches a few more to bring his total for the day to 12 I believe.

Tide – rising tide in the morning then falling in the afternoon.

 

Water Temperature – 88-91

 

Wind –5-10 mph

 

Sun –Mostly sunny with scattered clouds

 

Water Visibility – 7-10

 

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8/12 Afternoon

After dropping off the guys from the morning trip I got a quick bite to eat and got in touch with a friend of mine Capt Paul Swett for some afternoon action.  We arrived at dead low tide which in Venice is great. The water clears up and the fish become stacked up in schools that make for some great action.  Capt Paul brought along Brant Crenshaw of BD Outdoorswho not only caught his first red but got a good one on the fly.

Tide – rising tide in the morning then falling in the afternoon.

 

Water Temperature – 88-91

 

Wind –5-10 mph

 

Sun –Mostly sunny with scattered clouds

 

Water Visibility – 7-10

 

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8/12 Venice, Louisiana aka Redfish Mecca

Capt Greg Moon and I had a great group of guys fishing with us this day.  Due to the poor water clarity on the east side we convinced the guys to take the ride down to Venice where the clarity has been good and the numbers of fish have been great.  Everyone caught fish, Moon’s boat even caught three Sheepsheads along with their reds.

Tide – rising tide in the morning then falling in the afternoon.

 

Water Temperature – 88-91

 

Wind –10-15 in the morning then slowing to 0-5 in the afternoon

 

Sun –Mostly sunny with scattered clouds

 

Water Visibility – 7-10

 

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The Moon Sled

Capt Greg Moon and I had a pretty good time testing his new East Cape Fury . This boat is pretty incredible. I may just be saying that because Im also getting one in the next week or so  but the facts don’t lie.  The boat is setup perfectly with great storage and rigged out beautifully with the wiring and electrical placement perfect with easy access and still out of the way.  As for performance the boat is a tank when it comes to chop and turning.  With the 90 E-tec on it the boat has some series get up and go power. The top speed is still only 40mph but with a new prop we are hoping to see 45-50mph.  As for poling and draft it didn’t disappoint.  It poled much like a Lostman but with a little more weight in the wind with its higher sides and 15-20 mph winds we had yesterday.  The draft was extremely skinny, we didn’t have a ruler but i would put money on we were floating in max 6 in yesterday with 2 people, a full tank of gas, and a full ice chest.  I cant wait to get mine

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8/6 Tailing Redfish

Hoping to get back on the fish Rocky and I saw two days ago I let Skip know early we were going to be taking a ride.  After the 45 min boat ride we pull up to the flat and immediately start seeing movement. As we pushed closer we started seeing tails, big tails. Taking it slow and waiting for the right shot, Skip placed a perfect cast right in front of the school and bam hooked up.  This fish was angry too making big runs and getting all the way down to the backing.  This 13lber on the fly was a great start.  As the day went on we caught more fish with even some school trout under the birds mixed in.  We covered a lot of ground today and even found some monster drum in the 30-40lb range but unfortunately they wouldn’t eat.  Great summer day!

Tide – Falling all day

 

Water Temperature – 84-90

 

Wind – 0-5

 

Sun – Mostly sunny with scattered clouds

 

Water Visibility – 6-8 all fishable though

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8/4 Scout Trip

Rocky and I took advantage of the calm winds and made a scout trip way south.  Here we found plenty of redfish, some bull reds, and clean water.  Although we didn’t catch the bigger reds in the school we did manage some 10-12lbers and one going about 16lbs. (good one for summer time)  All the fish we saw today responded best to darker crab patterns.

Tide – Falling all afternoon

 

Water Temperature – 86-88

 

Wind – 0-5

 

Sun – Mostly sunny

 

Water Visibility – 6-7.5

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7/31 Pretty Good, Bad Day

Back at the homewaters the fish were not acting like they were in Venice.  With clear skies and relatively light winds you would think it would be an easy day. Well the fish were not moving like they have been. The water has warmed a little since last week and the clarity was very poor. With only a handfull of shots, about 10-15, these guys made the most of it. Caught 2 broke one off and missed another.

Tide – Falling all day due to NNW wind

 

Water Temperature – HOT! 87-90

 

Wind – 10-15

 

Sun – Blue Bird

 

Water Visibility – 5

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7/28 – 7/30 FAUX PAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a great time fishing the Faus Pas fishing Rodeo With Brock and his Mom Stacey. All three days we caught a ridiculous amount of fish. Brock is by far the best junior angler I have ever seen. Although we didn’t catch any good Tournament fish Brock still said it was the “the best three days of his life.” Probably the best review I have gotten so far.

Tide – Rising in the mornings falling in the afternoon

 

Water Temperature – We were fishing Venice so the river water kept it a little cooler 83-85

 

Wind – 0-15

 

Sun – Mostly Cloudy the first day and half of second, cleared up third day

Water Visibility – 6-10 Cleared up on the falling tide.

 

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