9/5/06 Charleston, SC flood tide

Made it out tonight to fish the flood tide here in Charleston with my friend Dave Dalu. With the approaching full moon, the tide was big and way up into the Spartina grass that is normally high and dry. There was a steady breeze blowing and it was overcast, just enough to cool things down a bit and get the fish active and hungry. Upon coming off plane and poling onto the flat we were immediately welcomed by a group of 6 tailing reds, their fins and tails popping in and out of the water as they searched with their mouths in the grass and mud for shrimp, crabs, and other bait that used the thick cover for refuge. We got quite a few decent shots at some very hungry fish, and we able to make connections with 3 fish. Two fish made it to the boat, both in the 24-25 inch range. Interestingly they were both tagged by the South Carolina DNR and from their tag numbers, seemed to be from the same batch of fish. We fished until sunset, which was very pleasant as the amber glow shone through the lingering cloud cover. Another great night in the Carolina coastal lowcountry.

Dave w/ ~25" reda healthy blue-tipped tail Me with a 24" red, taken on a rootbeer copperhead pattern