Just one day

[marty f]

Sat 9-5

My son and I came down sat around 8a and missed the crowds at the ramps. Headed south to a few spots trying to work the falling tide but we were not having much luck. Bounced around a few more spots and got caught in a down pour back in a channel so we just waited it out. We could see 5 other boats that were in long point lake just getting SOAKED, My son and I were holed up under the T-tops staying pretty dry

Finally had enough of the blanks and headed to a few other spots up north I know are good for a few hits. Got back into the cuts and right away the Reds started hitting. My son caught the first 2 before I could even get my line in the water, but they were just 17" and tossed em back. My first line in was a good hit and he shot straight for the boat and handed me my hook back I KNEW that was going to happen, but there wasn't much I could do, I couldn't reel fast enough to get the slack out. Reset and said "lets see if there are any more" sure enough hook up again! this time he was boated at 22" perfect keeper in my book. We did this the rest of the day. and ended up with 8 reds. I got my limit and my son got 3, he should have limited but a few got off, and we don't normally keep em under 20".

At one point we rolled up to a flats pond just off the back channel and you could see 15-20 of them swirling around, So I tell me son to hurry up to the front of the boat, so he comes running, off the back deck BAM BAM BAM BAM all they way up tot he front deck "WOW HOLY CRAP THATS ALOT OF FISH!!" he yells......... and off the fish went This was a perfect example of why Im always telling him to be quiet, he finally got it when they all scattered and we didn't even get a line tossed.......

I have always known Reds love crabs, but Here, at big lake, just have never fished with them as bait. Havent really seen or heard of them being used except fishing for bulls out at the jetties. In cleaning the fish I went through their stomach to see what they have been eating, low and behold CRABS!! no shrimp, no fish, all crabs.



That go me to wondering, does anyone make a crab bait? In my research I have found the Gulp has peeler crabs in 1" 2" and 4". I have ordered a dozen 4" blue crabs.

I was wondering if anyone has ever used these crabs ? Im planning on using them on some flats areas on a Carolina rig with about a 3-4 ft leader to a circle hook and crab, least amount of weight at the crab so it falls naturally.

Any thoughts?