Having three days off in a row doesn’t happen too often, and with the weather the way it’s been, I hadn’t been fishing in around 2 weeks. After staying home for the first two days, I was aching to get out on the water. Tracey allowed me to do so on Sunday morning so I headed to PAC.
I still love fishing PAC. It’s probably still my favorite location, even with its increased popularity in the kayak community. Redbone’s first tournament of the year is coming up soon, so I wanted to prefish the area.
Things started real slow. The skies were overcast and there was a chill on the little wind there was. I started trying a mixture of slower presentations and moderate retrieves. From 10 – 1, I had two bits of action. One was a quick bite and spit, the second I landed. It was a small red, probably not making 16 inches.
I continued on with this pattern, occasionally trying other baits. I planned to head back to the truck around 12:30, but got the call from Tracey that I could take my time. Not long after that phone call, the clouds broke and the sun lit up the water. The wind completely stopped. The water temperature had been around 53-54*, but with the sun out it warmed up to 56* which is what I like for my preferred fishing style. I soon started finding redfish all over the flats. They were mainly larger fish, 25-29″. Unfortunately, seeing them isn’t catching them, and most spooked before I could make a cast.
I did bring one home though, which was caught on my faithful Buggs Curl-tail.
I hooked him right in the tongue though, and he was bleeding pretty bad. After putting him in the AO Cooler, I realized the mess he’d made in the ‘yak, and all over my legs. The Hobie is officially broken in, lol.
I’m getting the final bits of rigging done just in time for the start of tournament season, and plan to have a walkthrough video done soon, so keep an eye out for that!
Gear Used
Kayak : Hobie Outback (2019)
Paddle : Werner Cyprus Hooked
Fishing Line: FINS Windtamer, 40G, and Shock Absorbing Braids, Mainly 20-30lb test.
Rods : St. Croix Avid Inshore Series Spinning Rods & St. Croix Mojo Yak Casting Rod
Reels : Shimano Stradic 2500, Shimano Nasci 2500, & 13 Fishing Concept C
Lures : – Buggs Curl-tail Jig (1st Gen.)