Vero/FP this week

[Bi0tic]

Hit a couple different areas this week, water is turbid everywhere making sight fishing a challenge. My first trip was a lazy one, not on the water until 8am and back by 12pm. Started with the subwalk and got a ladyfish right away followed by a 16" trout near a school of bay anchovies. Worked the area but nothing else so moved on. A long lull and covered quite a bit of water then tried a new area. Caught a fat 21" trout, but again I guess it was a loner like the first. There was not much bait here, a few mullet and a couple schools of bay anchovies. Another lull then back to where the second trout came from and caught another 16" trout. It was quite hot by this time so headed in.

Trip 2 was more productive. Got out there earlier, 6:30am, and decided to try some new spots. Second cast get a hit on the skitterwalk, short battle then release. Not sure what it was but I believe a trout. Gave the area some more time but nothing so on to new spot #2. This was a total strike out except I had a strange mishap where I lost my baitbuster. I was pitching it under some mangroves and got it hung for a second then flipped it off and into the water. I saw a boil nearby but didn't feel anything so I reeled and the baitbuster was gone. The strangest part was my 30lb fluoro leader was cut where my loop knot sits on the eye of the lure. Never had that happen before.

So I had enough of trying new areas and decided to hit an old reliable. On my way there I see some finger mullet spraying out of the water. I ease my way into casting distance and damn if there wasn't a 750 sq. ft. area full of mullet. Thinking my day is about to get exciting I make a long cast into the fray. Nothing. A few more casts with the skitterwalk, nothing. Finally a small hit, off. And a few more followed by a couple large hits but still nothing I could keep on. Switch to a mirrodine and get a jack on the first cast. Go back to the topwater and get a small trout then an 18" trout, followed by a trout that hit it 3 times within 15 ft. of the yak before giving up. Nothing more for awhile then switch to the baitbuster and a 19" trout inhales it right next to the yak. More unproductive casts then switch again, to the subwalk. Second cast 20" trout hits by the yak and comes off. Set it in the water by the bow and it comes back and engulfs it. Some motorboaters were making noise and the mullet started to disperse, so I did too.

Get over to where I was headed and a storm is coming through, wind kicking up the drift. I escape the rain and setup a quick drift. Second cast with the subwalk produces a 19" trout. Second drift get two 18" trout on back to back casts. Third drift, 20" falls for the subwalk.

Decide to anchor and fan cast the area. Nothing. it's about 11 with nothing to eat or drink to this point so get started on my protein bar and water. Out of the corner of my eye I see a large mat of grass headed toward me. Going to make a little mess of my anchor line but of well. as the mat passes around my yak I notice a splash then see something. A tripletail! I drop my lunch and make some futile casts with subwalk to no avail. I figure I'd have a better chance with bait, but the best I could come up with is a gulp shrimp. Re-rig with the shrimp, pull up anchor and chase the grass down but when I get there I don't see the tripletail or anything else. Work the shrimp around the grass but come up empty. It's nearing noon and headed in after that.

Funny thing is I thought I saw a tripletail come up to my yak last year in the same area but dismissed it as my imagination. Maybe not!