re: How not to sight fish....

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. Chances are you will not be sight fishing in a strong wind anyway. Consider a bait caster.

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Your right about that, i have them, the spinning reel throws light baits better. And yes, it makes me look bad, i just started really targeting reds, so i would figure i would share my wrong doings so they dont.


One of my biggest problems was not being able to stop the boat. i would drift towards the fish, but if they didn't bite on the first cast, i would run them over. didnt have time to pick up another bait.

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where are you fishing?

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Cocodrie, by Moss Bay, and i fish spinning reels almost exclusively in salt water, just my preference. baitcasters are a freshwater thing for me.

I carry both, but over time I've found that bait casters simplify things when sight fishing and use them almost exclusively. Curdo's can be set to throw that DOA a long way even without the split shot weight. I'm sure other reels can as well.

Powerpole REALLY helps with the drift problem.

Again kudos for sharing, I'm certain most learned something.

That looks a whole lot like cocodrie... or perhaps Leeville

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You know I'm only a phone call away!

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Are you offering to be the poler or polie?

I hear ya. They weigh less than 30 lbs total. I put the pump in my center console to offset the weight of the pole on the back. I figure it has no affect on draft with my last two boats. But I'm not running a poling skiff anymore either. It's all a compromise.

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it is a cluster of a rig, but i have lots of confidence in the setup.

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100% of the people I know who sight fish with spin gear throw simple spinner baits or 1/4oz spoons. Too each their own, I'm not really sure that it matters much but if you're going to sight fish you need to be able to hit your spots.

Next time if you're solo and using the trolling motor, after you spot the fish don't point the boat at the fish. Turn off the path and try and get the boat broadside to the fish. We do this on the the pole because of the back cast of a fly rod but serves dual purpose. It keeps you from running over the fish plus It's easier to cast 40 feet than 10 feet

You mentioned bait casters being a freshwater thing, but the reel doesn't know what kind of water you're fishing. They are better in close and with the right rod/reel you can flick a 1/4 or 1/8 oz spoon a long arse way with ease. There is nothing wrong with spinning reels if you can control them but if you can cast in tight cover for bass with a bait caster then you can hit your spots in the marsh for redfsih.

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Elusiveporpi

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The video man.

That said, take everything in here with stride. Here's some actual constructive criticism. I know it's been beaten to death already, but throw a baitcaster. They're more accurate underhanded (for most people at least), which allows you to present the bait better from an elevated surface.

Second thing: get rid of that drop shot rig. If you're fishing in Cocodrie, get some weighted shank EWG 4/0 hooks with a spring lock. This will keep you weedless. I prefer 1/16/oz, but some people like 1/8oz. The lighter weights are better for presentation. The heavier weights are (obviously) better for getting the bait down in front of the fish faster. You can pretty much throw whatever bait you want. I use two baits specifically when sight fishing: a brown crawfish or a purple haze Vortex Shad. If I can't get them to eat one of those, they're not eating.

Third: for fishing by yourself, run your trolling motor on the absolute lowest power possible. I fish by myself often, and therefore I troll often. I also troll when fishing with two people where both want to fish, but I'd rather pole. I don't care what anybody says. Trolling motors spook fish. Keeping it low and slow will keep you stealthy.

Fourth: don't worry about all the bullshite and just have fun. Fishing is really fun, and fishing should always be really fun. Most of the people in here giving you shite probably wouldn't know their asses from a hole in the ground standing on top of a casting platform. It's not easy. Props for posting the video.

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Next time if you're solo and using the trolling motor, after you spot the fish don't point the boat at the fish. Turn off the path and try and get the boat broadside to the fish.

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this is some good advice.

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The video man.

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As i said, the video is not edited, just sped up at some spots. it was just to show all the fish i saw, and all the mistakes i made.

I fish alot, more than most, just not for reds very often,(caught some trout this weekend BTW) So I appreciate all the constructive criticism.

Sight fishing usually involves light baits, so that's why I stray away from the baitcasters. I had a spinner tied on to a baitcaster, which i used some, but it didnt help with the fish.

Here some pics of the weekend -

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Just the fiasco

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O, yeah, it was bad. but it got my heart beating a mile a minute. i caught two 30+ inchers sight fishing the afternoon before. it was a kick in the pants to see a red that size blow up on a bait in 10" of water. and of course the gopro was dead for that part....

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If it makes you feel any better at all

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Another make you feel better, I spun my prop right past sand dollar Friday afternoon and sat at the camp and watched the beautiful water from the porch the remainder of the weekend. THAT was a real bummer.

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we all go through it

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Go through it? Nope, I never really been out of "it". My streak for 2016 has been down right embarrassing.