I have been fishing shorelines in and near “big water” that is protected from these violent winds. I pay attention to flooded grasslines and broken up marsh. This has been yielding my coolers of fish. Typically, trout are up against the grass or within 25 yards while redfish are up against and inside the grass. Making quality casts is key.
Flooded grasslines are great areas for baitfish to hide. The specks and reds stack right on top of them.
I have found that if I only catch small fish right away, then that is all that is probably there. Small fish like bait-sized croakers are a dead giveaway that is all you’re going to catch. If there isn’t something like a trout or red to make that croaker run and hide then you’re better off picking up anchor and going somewhere else.
That’s not to say that the fish won’t turn on, but in the last week that has not been my experience. If I catch catfish, ladyfish or any other kind of trash fish I will usually leave. Most of the time I have had to bounce around, but it’s worth it as I am not still not burning as much gas as I would running around Breton Sound.
I am using a different fishing rig than what I used to employ. It’s essentially a Carolina Rig with a clip-on popping cork above it. I will have to write about it later, as it has proven to be very useful, tangle free and easy to cast. Of course, we have been catching fish on them!