This trip to Baffin Bay was a typical “Winter” fishing experience. Rain was moving thru the area, it was cold, the tides were much lower than other times of the year and the white shrimp migration was in its early stage. Daniel Sowell, my hunting brother, and my good friend Robert Viera hit the water in search of Redfish and Trout. We put in at Bird Island and let the 250 Evinrude eat, we were heading South.
The rocks around Baffin Bay hold big numbers of fish and the rocks are actually serpulid reefs. These reefs were formed about 3,000 years ago from the calcareous tubes of serpulid worms. These formations stopped growing about 300 years ago.
Although the rock “reefs” are no longer growing, the hard worm tubes remain resistant to attack by waves. They are dangerous to boaters like us and therefore, Baffin Bay has the allure of big fish in big numbers but butterfly’s in the stomach are there at times. The tops of the reefs are often just below the water’s surface. Water depths around the reefs are generally 2 to 3 feet and the “Rocks” are sometimes only 2 inches under the water’s surface.
Anglers Note---
Fishing today was all about working a ”Shrimp Under a Popping Cork” !!! We have all heard that before but really putting it in action is not just dumb luck. We are very strategic fishermen. Think about it, where are the fish and what can I do to increase the odds of getting the hook up.
These “Rocks” hold baitfish because they are a food source and they provide a hiding place for the little baitfish, Safety. Because of this, we cast close to the rocks. Not on the rocks but just adjacent to the rocks. We can find the rocks by site, they are a reddish color with furry algae or by seeing small waves break on the rocks. Look at the open bay, find waves breaking only in one or two areas….those are the areas with rocks….shallower water. We used a white and green float with no rattle, a 3-4 foot 30 lb. mono leader, a split-shot and a size 5-ot hook.
The rod action is a firm pull-pop to make a swish sound in the water. Remember, we are trying to simulate a Game fish turning hard and feeding. Other fish will hear this and move in to see what is going on and where is the food. When that float goes under, use the 30 lb. main Power Pro braided line to set the hook aggressively. Then fight the fish in and never let him have any slack in the line……none.
It worked for us today.
We caught Reds, Trout and some really nice Black Drum. The surprise was that the Reds were all undersize and we did not catch big numbers of Trout or any really big Sow Trout. The bite was not really on-fire like it can be. We probably caught 50 or more fish. Only 11 were keepers……….. 9 Trout and 2 Black Drum.
It was great fun but we really wanted to find big fish in big numbers……you know that we will be back for another run at the big fish in Baffin Bay.
Thanks for your time today……..and ……I’ll See You on the Water !!!!
Dave
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