FS Digest

All I want to do is catch a red. I live in Sarasota, FL and red fish are one of the best and most exciting fish to catch in the gulf here. Or that’s what they tell me. Took me ten years of living here to finally be able to buy an old used boat. I spent weeks working on it and learning about motors to get it water ready. I saved and saved and finally got a nice minnkota for it. I’ve been slowly upping my gear and I fish probably 5-6 hrs a week which as a full time working father of two is all I can manage.

I go hunting for reds every time. I hear about where someone caught one, what they used, what the tide was doing and so on. I make a plan and I bust ass to get me one.

Today I found the sweetest little nook behind some mangroves. Lo and behold as I round the corner I see a charter captain with a bunch of tourists chumming up the waters and having them throw live bait out. This teenage girl that looks like she’s never held a rod in her life reeled in the biggest red fish I’ve ever seen. Had to have been 36” or more. Monster.

I know I shouldn’t be this upset and should be happy for her but goddamn. I don’t want to use live bait, I fished with shrimp for years here and there’s really not much challenge or sport to it. I’ve been catching tons of trout and jacks and a few snook on spoons, jigs, DOAs and so on but cannot find a Red.

I used to fly fish when I lived in the mountains so I’ve started doing that here too. Haven’t caught anything with it yet, been too windy lately to use it much.

Doesn’t help my father in law lives an hour south of me and constantly texts me pictures of the reds he’s getting.

Anyway, needed to get that off my chest and this place felt like a good spot.

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by DrLeoMarvin

FS Digest

If fishing is making you angry, you’re doing it wrong brother. Take a breather...

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by Pinchest

FS Digest

It’s not, I love it and it’s the best, but that situation today really ground my gears and I needed to rant

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by DrLeoMarvin

FS Digest

Fair enough. Hope ya feel better

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by Pinchest

FS Digest

There are so many reds in the mangroves in Sarasota and Tampa Bay that you shouldn't be able to avoid them. Not to mention the snook fishing there. Keep trying and your day will come soon!

PS I'm super jealous since I'm landlocked now. It's been about 13 years since I lived there (Palmetto)

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by sea2see

FS Digest

Hey man, don't worry, I'm really hoping to get one this year too. But, I also have limited time to go, and the best spots are a couple hours drive south for me. Keep putting in the time, it'll pay off eventually, and it'll feel that much better

In NC 36" isn't even considered a trophy fish:) not sure if that'll make ya feel better or worse. ha!

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by skatefishjam69420

MadPole Loc: Woodstock Ga

Hey Dr Leo;
I graduated from Sarasota High way back when! Just went snook fishing there last year. Go up the Bradenton river and into the back waters. Forget about your scruples and don't be so stubborn. Reds
LOVE Shrimp!! Cast as close to the mangroves as possible. Ten feet out and you may never get a bite. Go catch some for dinner and you''ll be Hooked!

Troutismygame Loc: Charleston Area West Virginia

You need to use a better choice of words there than GD. Grow up and just fish man!

Egghead

If your doing the same thing everyday you go out and getting the same result, change up do something different. You tube is s good place to find new ideas. If I'm out fishing and I see someone catching fish and I'm not, I get out my binoculars and watch them. You might learn a few secrets that way.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

DrLeoMarvin, fill out that user profile and maybe some folks in that area can lead you in another direction.

JimRed Loc: Coastal New Jersey, Belmar area

Disappointed that it was not me doing the catching, sure. Angry? Not really.

What did get me angry was when I was surf fishing and a school of Stripers chasing bait was almost within casting range of the beach, but a boatman moved inshore of them and cut them off. I wanted to park a three ounce sinker in his cockpit!

Also when I was fishing the inlet jetty and had hooked something big. It ran across the inlet but I got it turned and worked it halfway back. Then a boat came racing around the jetty close to the rocks and cut the fish off. I so wanted to poke 45 caliber holes in his transom!

Egghead

When I'm shore fishing I've put sinkers and hooks in boats.lol

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Dr Leo: I understand being upset when you find someone else has beat you to your honey hole, or what you assumed was!

I’ve always said that Red fish would be the State fish of Texas if they would only jump! Just sayin...RJS

Grandpa Knows How Loc: OC, California

Think about it. If that area held a big fish which was taken out, it won’t be long before another big fish claims it as his domain. Keep quiet about it and keep fishing it. You’ll get your chance.

Er1c Loc: Ocean City, Md.

I get where your coming from, I don't like using live bait either. But I came up and compromised with myself. On one rod, I normally use a Carolina rig with a circle hook, they practically set themselves. With either salted clams or sand fees aka mole crabs, sand crabs. Not to mention Gulp alive crabs and fish bites. No slime or mess and they do there job. So I throw that out and secure the rod so I don't lose it. I grab my other rod and start throwing out lures. Something to consider next time you go out.