Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

There is no denying this winter has been tough for the beach fishermen on SPI. Near freezing temps, long days of sustained winds and gulf waters that are just plain cold. My equipment has never been in such good shape and that's because I have the time to work on it instead of being out fishing. But, to put things in perspective, I watched a video yesterday from BamaBeachBum. He spent ten hours fishing over at Orange Beach and got three bites and landed one fish. Granted, it was a mini-monster around 20 lbs, which takes away some of the pain. I noted that he had pretty ideal conditions; smooth as glass, gin clear water, and you could see the drop off 15 feet in front of the line of rods he had out. Also significant to note he caught that black drum on a steelhead rod, rigged for whiting with shrimp and 10 pound line and leader. So, what can we glean from all that? 1) Rig up to catch whiting and take what comes along. 2) We have to put the time in and get out there even though the return on your effort might be pretty minimal. 3) This winter will end, and rather soon, I hope.

I'm going to make two or three aluminum sand spikes today because the wind is around 28 mph and rolling my trash cans all over the driveway. It is also close to 70, for whatever that's worth. I don't really need any new sand spikes, but what else is there to do? I'm also thinking of tying up some Pompano jigs with some long-shank 2/0 hooks, but I don't want to empty my to-do list all in one day. Oh yeah, I learned the other day that some of those stud whitings we've been catching aren't really whiting at all. They're Atlantic Kingfish. You got to count the spines on the dorsal fin to be sure though. I'm going to go catch a nap.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

I always thought they were the same fish.

Jeremy Loc: America

Seems crazy the difference in two fish would be how many bones they have in their dorsal fin. All good just strange.

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

So did I, Gord. But turns out they are different species. Whiting = Merlangus. Atlantic King = Menticirrles. Something to do with the number of spines in the dorsal fin. Whoda thunk it?

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

I'm learning every day.

padrebino Loc: BROWNSVILLE, TX / SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX

Tony, how many spines on an Atlantic kingfish vs a whiting, and does it have that line running the length of its body like a whiting? Any other differences?

So, since you're "catching", not "taking" a nap' what are you using for bait?

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Me too Gordon. It’s nice not to know everything all the time. Leaves room for learning😉

Jeremy Loc: America

Open Minded people can learn more everyday. I love learning. Teacher for a wife… I better. Let me know if you ever start making ciders. It’s fun. It’s also a learning experience

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Will do

Jeremy Loc: America

👍🏻

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Sorry to hear about the fishing, Tony, but I guess that fishing. The nap idea sounds good. I'll bet those fish taste the same.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Rhe filament on the dorsal of the northern kingfish is usually much longer as well. What are they doing in Texas??

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

They came for the weather I guess. Sure hope they aren't too disappointed.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

The temps probably Bout right for them. They usually show up back here at around 60*.

P Jack Austin Loc: Mission, Texas

We caught the same fish off the Virginia coast and called them roundheads or sea mullet. Small but good eating.