New Mirrodine XL Lure and Tailing Catfish
08.13.08
Yesterday I was determined to go fishing and try some night time dock fishing from the kayak for the first time. I went by Tampa Bay Outfitters and picked up a few things. I got some glow in the dark gulp bait and I picked up a new Mirrodine XL lure. I kept an eye on the weather and the radar as it didn’t look too promising as the day progressed. After I got him it seemed to be just overcast so I got the truck loaded up just in case. After looking at the radar again for a few minutes I decided it looked like I’d be ok so I headed out. As I was launching it was barely drizzling but the wind was really strong. A guy walked by and asked if I was just coming in and I said no, I’m going out. He shook his head and said be careful. I told him it was all about to pass but I don’t think he believed me.
So I paddled down a few docks and started fishing a hole I’ve caught mangrove snapper in before but only pulled in a few catfish. That’s when the sun came out and I realized I didn’t have to worry about getting rained on anymore. I fished a few docks as well as some bait schools out in the open but wasn’t getting anything but catfish but they were big. I got to a shallow area and got out of my kayak and saw something tailing. Again, big catfish. I saw something a few feet past the school of catfish so I cast over there and right when the lure hit the water it was getting hit. It look a few casts to realize it was a school of ladyfish playing with it. I’d through all the way back to them and as soon as the lure hit the water I’d start reeling in quick and they would just attack the bait on top the water. I didn’t actually land any of them, they all threw the hook but I thought it was fun.
I moved on to a hole we’ve been to before with the monster fish. It was just getting really dark as I got there. I anchored up and on my first cast something hit the bait and then got off. I couldn’t really see but I felt like it was a snook. After that I hear things attacking bait behind me so I cast into them and once again, a big catfish. At this point I’m thinking they are just following me around! After landing him I didn’t get any more bites out of that hole. I must have spooked everything in there. So I just headed back the way I came, fishing a few spots on the way back pulling in nothing but catfish.
I must have caught at least 15-20 catfish yesterday but all in all it was a good trip. I only got hits on that new Mirrodine XL. Even though it was just catfish and ladyfish, I think that tells me it was matching the baitfish in the area pretty well. I swung by TFO again today and picked up a few more. I’m hoping to hit it again this evening if the weather lets me which it looks like it will. I forgot my camera yesterday so no pictures but I’ll be sure to bring it tonight.