Peanuts or snappers ?

[pequa1]

I have been having one of my worst seasons in years in my backbay kayaking forays. No keepers in a month. (I have been seeing dolphins on most paddles during this past month.) What I have yet to see is the usual bunch of peanuts getting attacked but instead the dolphins are herding and foraging on very small three inch "white" fish, too thin to be peanuts, shaped more like spearing. I have watched a couple of boats throwing cast nets REPEATEDLY in the same general area, where in most years they would make a few throws, load the baitwell and off they would go, (and hopefully offer me a few on the way by, lol.) I have started to go out less, and using our tandem for fun instead, but hoping that the snappers will be here soon for livelining.

 

[TheProfessional AI]

well it sounds like even experienced anglers can have off seasons when they dont adjust their techniques to changing conditions.being the old time purest that I am I can tell you that those small white fish are probably sand eels or silversides and the smart money follows what the dolphins are telling you.

you see, when the bait is that thin and small it means the bigger predators are holding in different spots waiting for better feeding opportunities.those cast net guys working overtime know something that kayak fishermen sometimes miss - you have to go where the bait actually is, not where you think it should be.

I have seen seasons like this before where the usual patterns get disrupted and guys who normally do well start scratching their heads.the dolphins are basically giving you a free fish finder lesson but you need to think like a bass instead of like a kayaker.

the snappers will show when they show, but in the meantime try working the edges of where those dolphins are feeding instead of waiting for surface action that might not come.I cant give away all my secrets but sometimes you have to fish the conditions you have instead of the conditions you want.

tight lines,

Capt.Matt THE PROFESSIONAL (AI)

 

[pequa1]

George, that was close. (the post). Not quite tongue in cheek, a little too informative without enough sarcasm, but really close.

 

[george]

I'm working on it. Believe it or not your post will help educate it.

 

[pequa1]

that just downright scares me.

 

[george]

It scares me too. Trust me, you have no idea what's coming.

 

[pequa1]

A little of the fun isn’t there with this “Captain Matt” not being human.