Another good day in V.B.

[Reefman]

Originally Posted by drunken clam

whacha gonna do..good luck when theres 75 boats sitting in the cove and the birds start working within eyesight...

Hope you have the fastest boat out there! This is kinda like the NASCAR of spec fishin.....better than the ol blast off in bass tourneys!

[RickLafayette]

Originally Posted by dwr353

Nice catch Speck. For the many people new to chasing specks(me included), What is the proper way to get in on the action and not be a jerk and bust the fish and screw the folks there already. We read the complaints about impolite people, but many have not been told-shown what is kosher. Enjoy the posts you and Matt write.

Read "Trout Masters" and/or "Trout Masters Too: How the pros do it" by Jerald Horst, and all your questions will be answered.

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by dwr353

Nice catch Speck. For the many people new to chasing specks(me included), What is the proper way to get in on the action and not be a jerk and bust the fish and screw the folks there already. We read the complaints about impolite people, but many have not been told-shown what is kosher. Enjoy the posts you and Matt write.

Try to position yourself in a way that you will drift more and use your trolling motor less. The less noise you make coming into the school of fish the more chance everybody will have to catch. Use the wind to your advantage

[meaux fishing]

Also try to say at least one casting length away from any other boat. Two is better. The fish aren't only under the birds they are spread out

[Reefman]

Originally Posted by meaux fishing

Try to position yourself in a way that you will drift more and use your trolling motor less. The less noise you make coming into the school of fish the more chance everybody will have to catch. Use the wind to your advantage

Originally Posted by meaux fishing

Also try to say at least one casting length away from any other boat. Two is better. The fish aren't only under the birds they are spread out

If you can do this above, you'll never have a problem with another fisherman working birds. Thanks

[BArmand]

We were on some great bird action a few years back in VBay when the armada came crashing our party. Once the birds and boats left the shrimp popped back up and we started busting them again without a boat in sight.

Teal seasons over, look out

[dwr353]

Thanks to all for the pointers. Tight lines....

[drunken clam]

SaltyCajun.com

Banned
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Big Lake LA
Posts: 20,155

Bird Fishing Helpfull Hints
Here is a set of basic tips and rules of thumb for everyone to read over on bird fishing!

Tips:

When you locate a group of birds , don't just run up to them. There are a few things you need to know 1st about that group to be successful
- Look to see which way the wind is blowing, this is the first key factor to your success for bird fishing
- Once you have determined watch way the wind is blowing you want to go up wind of the birds,
- Once your a good ways upwind point your boat nose straight on to the set, and drive up slowly until your 400-500 yards away from set, shut your big motor down
- Now once your trolling up to the group of birds you need to determined which way the fish or group is moving...this is very important to know how you will set up on the fish.
- with light wind you should be able to place the boat in a good position to cast into the set or where you see fish popping
- If winds are high and its rough you will have to work the trolling motor more than fish....You will have to try to get your guys or gals in the best position to cast into the group while you maintain the boat from blowing into them....

Never approach a group of birds trolling upwind! This will spook the fish and shut the bite off quickly, always let the wind drift you to them! if calm let the tide push you or troll softly over

Rule of thumb is 2 boats are plenty on a group of birds and if its real windy or rough you will only be able to fish one boat per set

Awareness is key also.... You should approach a set of birds to get the most number of fish out of them. Don't worry about other groups or your next move, as this is where lots mess up on fish! Take your time and fish them ! Remember if you know which way the birds are moving you know which way the fish are moving. So when the birds fly away your able to still produce fish! Trout don't fly so there still in the area.... I have produced tons of fish by staying after the birds leave....

System.... If you do join someone on a group of birds allow the person there to be the leader! Allow them the best angle on the group and you fill in the gap... More then likely if you crowd them they will get pushy and blow the group out!

Have courtesy for all anglers and respect, you can learn a lot also by watching others fish.

Good Luck

from "W"..posted previously

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by drunken clam

SaltyCajun.com
Banned
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Big Lake LA
Posts: 20,155

Bird Fishing Helpfull Hints
Here is a set of basic tips and rules of thumb for everyone to read over on bird fishing!

Tips:

When you locate a group of birds , don't just run up to them. There are a few things you need to know 1st about that group to be successful
- Look to see which way the wind is blowing, this is the first key factor to your success for bird fishing
- Once you have determined watch way the wind is blowing you want to go up wind of the birds,
- Once your a good ways upwind point your boat nose straight on to the set, and drive up slowly until your 400-500 yards away from set, shut your big motor down
- Now once your trolling up to the group of birds you need to determined which way the fish or group is moving...this is very important to know how you will set up on the fish.
- with light wind you should be able to place the boat in a good position to cast into the set or where you see fish popping
- If winds are high and its rough you will have to work the trolling motor more than fish....You will have to try to get your guys or gals in the best position to cast into the group while you maintain the boat from blowing into them....

Never approach a group of birds trolling upwind! This will spook the fish and shut the bite off quickly, always let the wind drift you to them! if calm let the tide push you or troll softly over

Rule of thumb is 2 boats are plenty on a group of birds and if its real windy or rough you will only be able to fish one boat per set

Awareness is key also.... You should approach a set of birds to get the most number of fish out of them. Don't worry about other groups or your next move, as this is where lots mess up on fish! Take your time and fish them ! Remember if you know which way the birds are moving you know which way the fish are moving. So when the birds fly away your able to still produce fish! Trout don't fly so there still in the area.... I have produced tons of fish by staying after the birds leave....

System.... If you do join someone on a group of birds allow the person there to be the leader! Allow them the best angle on the group and you fill in the gap... More then likely if you crowd them they will get pushy and blow the group out!

Have courtesy for all anglers and respect, you can learn a lot also by watching others fish.

Good Luck

from "W"..posted previously

500 yds is pretty far to troll... Just sayin. I would say come off plane at 500 yds idle in to about 200 yds then shut motor down

[RickLafayette]

Originally Posted by drunken clam

SaltyCajun.com
Banned
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Big Lake LA
Posts: 20,155

Bird Fishing Helpfull Hints
Here is a set of basic tips and rules of thumb for everyone to read over on bird fishing!

Tips:

When you locate a group of birds ,...

Have courtesy for all anglers and respect, you can learn a lot also by watching others fish.

Good Luck

from "W"..posted previously

Excellent post, DC.

[jpeff31787]

you wouldn't think W could be so grammatically correct! Very good post though, we should have it laminated and posted at every launch

[HHenry1]

nice job fellas!

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by meaux fishing

500 yds is pretty far to troll... Just sayin. I would say come off plane at 500 yds idle in to about 200 yds then shut motor down

I agree.

Also...... depending on the wind, tide and if the birds [school of fish] are moving...... it is a good idea to have the anchor ready to ease it quietly into the water.

If the wind is blowing your boat into the school of fish......use the anchor before you get too close and spook the fish.

[dwr353]

Great tips. Appreciate it.