KELLY AND MARILYN WEBBER – WINNERS OF THE BIG MEG TOOTH
With the cool weather we are experiencing, water temperatures dropping into the 60s, snook and redfish have moved to warmer water, but seatrout are holding in areas of sea grass and sand holes. Many anglers are reporting that the bite is more toward the middle of the dropping tide. As a result, many anglers are going fishing at a time when the tide is right, but bait fish are harder to net. Many of these little white baits are netted closer to the bottom. Large numbers are not easy to find, but the few that are around are perfect bait size for our speckled trout.
Anglers are reporting that many smaller trout are in the mix, which is a good sign that hatches have been productive. The bars just off Pirate Harbor have been very productive. The bar in front of Hobbs Creek is showing great numbers. To the south, the bars just past Two Pines are also holding fish. Due to the winds, reports of fish to the west side of the harbor have not come in.
When you can get white bait, that is the most productive bait to attract the bite. Shrimp of a good size, when the shrimp boats have been able to get out and net, are also producing good catches. Call ahead to your favorite tackle shop to see if they have hand-picked shrimp. This will prevent you from making a trip to the shop that has no bait available.
Recently, I tried a newer soft bait, by Savage Gear, called the Manic ShrimpRTF V2. This bait, when placed under a three-foot piece of leader, and attached to a good quality float has worked well. There are several colors to choose from, and all seem to work. The artificial shrimp floats down, and usually catches the trout’s attention before it reaches the bottom. It is a little more expensive than some of the more popular soft baits, but it really is worth the investment to have one or two in your tackle box. Of course, our all-time favorite is the DOA Shrimp, 3-inch or 4-inch, in motor oil color and clear. They have been around for a long time, and proven their worth.
To end the 2025 meeting year, the Burnt Store Anglers had Capt. Rhett Morris speak to the Anglers on the great efforts of Captains for Clean Water. Following Capt. Morris’s presentation, the Anglers held their Holiday Drawings. There were over 35 gifts contributed by members, guides, and local tackle shops. The gifts included fishing tackle, antique fishing lures, equipment and wonderful posters from Guy Harvey and Marine Fisheries. The grand prize was a 25-million-year-old Megalodon Shark Tooth embedded in limestone found locally. The tooth measured over 4 inches and was certified to be from a shark, possible over 40 feet in length. The winner was long time Angler members Kelly and Marilyn Webber.
Membership in the Burnt Store Anglers is open to all who enjoy fishing. The Anglers meet on the first Monday of each month at 3:30 p.m. under the TIKI Hut in front of Cass Cay. The meetings are not held during the summer months.
Tight Lines
