This winter season on the Georgia Coast has been one to remember for me. Not only did I get in more fishing trips than I ever have in the winter, fishing was pretty good and I found plenty of new fishing holes.
Fighting with freshwater
We fought rain water run-off from the Satilla River and the Altamaha River nearly all winter long. Anytime there are heavy rains north of us or directly upon us, it all runs one place. Downhill and straight to the Coast! These fresh water rivers dump directly into our eco-system and they're still over the banks in some places. Most people seriously don't realize what an impact and value these fresh water rivers have on our fishery. It's a double edge sword, so to speak. Our fishing and shrimping is good because of this type of estuary system, but when the rains come, it sure is hard to find Trout if the water gets too fresh.
We had so much rain, the water 3 miles offshore of Jekyll Island was pure, brown swamp and rain water. It was clear, but it was tannic brown. When you find this water far out into the Atlantic, fishing can be tough, especially for Trout.
The Redfish and where to find them
Reds don't seem to mind too much of anything, especially the fresh water influx. I believe that our inshore red fishing should be ranked second to Louisiana. We can't hang with that, but we definitely run a close second with all the others. One thing is certain. It's hard to find resident redfish in Georgia if you're just guessing. There are certain things they like in their feeding habitat.
All the places that look prime, most times, are not. Great looking spots can have all the scenarios like all the other best redfish holes in the area and not produce. Welcome to Red fishing! What I look for:
1. Is there somewhere the fish could run to get away from the Dolphins? In other words, is it shallow enough? (This mainly applies to resident fish, not the fall season movers as much). Those fish like it shallow in most situations, whether it is shell or mud.
2. Look for a gradual sloping Mudflat. One that is only a foot or two deep at flood tide. A steep, quick drop off is not the type of flat you want.
3. On this illusive mudflat, I like to see some scattered shell, even if it's just tiny clumps scattered here and there.
4. Where this mudflat meets the grass and beyond is important. The type of grass you want to see atop your mudflat is not thick spartina/marsh grass. If it's dense, they can't feed as well or move as freely on a flood tide. Sparse grass is what we look for atop the mudflat. Sprigs of grass the fish can swim between and feed on crabs, shrimp and the like. Many times, there will be scattered thick grass with "passages" into the marsh, so look beyond that first layer. Reds will do anything to get on top of a flat on the flood tide and eat crabs.
5. More often than not, there will be a feeder creek (or many) that dump onto the flat. There are exceptions to this depending on where you're fishing, but it's in the scenario most times.
6. Contrary in a funny way to number one above, Reds like to have access to deeper water if they need it. Believe me, they know how to get there in any situation. A redfish normally knows his home turf very well in case of a dolphin attack on the flat or other threats. In short, finding flats on the Intracoastal is ideal, even down in Jacksonville this rings true. With all this being said, you will find fish outside of the above parameters, but good luck trying to find them. Everyone has a favorite hole here and there, but finding Reds consistently in large schools takes practice, patience and you have to be thinking like a Redfish. Period.
**Note: I know this is arguable, but my 20 years fishing for Reds has revealed to me these key factors about them:
A Redfish has 3 Goals in life. The Red's main, number one goal is to keep away from Dolphins. Number two is food. LOT'S of it. Number three is they want to GET IN THE GRASS. No worries about dolphins and free to eat all they want.
If you have never witnessed a few Dolphins ganging up on a school of Reds, it's a sight you will never forget. The Dolphins plan the mission and carry it out to a "T". We have seen them run Reds up in the mud, chasing them down a flat on their sides and the most famous of all…. Crashing into a school of Redfish from multiple angles using numerous dolphins to carry out the plan. There is no escape when this happens. They get A LOT of Redfish this way.
About the Trout
As I mentioned, it was more like Freshwater fishing for Sea Trout! The only places I was able to find trout the past few weeks is in the back of long rivers and ocean front "beach creeks". Those two types of places were holding fish fairly well. Sometimes in numbers, sometimes not. When the fish would bite, we had a blast throwing plastic at them. Mostly root beer and motor oil colors were the best as usual. Those two colors have been fished before the electric chicken was ever thought of. I remember my Dad fishing those rootbeer screw tails in the 70's…. Great Plastic on a lead head.
Well, the good news for everyone on our coast is this; I just read the Satilla River was 2 ft. below flood stage, so the rivers will be cleaning up, the salt water will be normalizing in the rivers and we should resume normal saltwater fishing shortly!
Happy Fishing!
Capt. Richie Lott
http://www.richielottoutdoors.com