2 minute read
Fishing with Captain Jay
Wading
By Captain Jay Cranford www.coastalgafishing.com
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Springtime is here and it's a great time to get outside, enjoy the sunny days and do some fishing in our coastal waters!
Pier fishing and boating are the most common ways of fishing, but have you ever considered wading?
Wading can be a great way to get on schools of fish, though it does take some effort and homework. You may want to do a little research on the best techniques for wading. There are several websites online that can help.
Here are some basic tips to get you started
You’ll need to do quite a bit of scouting so make sure you have a good pair of binoculars. We use the Barska brand with a built-in compass. There are more expensive binoculars on the market, but these seem to do a great job at a relatively affordable price.
It’s important to check your tides and use caution with the current as it can be demanding and dangerous.
You’ll need the proper clothing and gear for this type of fishing, to include a bait box, stringer, pliers, etc. When wading always wear long pants for protection against jellyfish which get worse as the water warms. Long nylon wading pants will provide you good protection from the stinging tentacles.
Walk and scout until you see some active bait fish, then set up and try your luck.
Wading can be a lot of fun so you may want to try it. We recommend you fish with a friend or other experienced anglers until you get the hang of it.
Charter guests showing off their nice red. Photo by Jay Cranford
What's Biting
The overall bite is getting better.
Trout and redfish will be picking up this time of year, as well as flounder and black drum.
Drifting a cork remains one of the best methods. Speckled trout are good along the shallow shoreline or around flats on shrimp and artificials. The flounder bite is getting better on shrimp around the rocks, piers, bridges and other structure.
Redfish are especially good, using small shrimp or finger mullet around the flats and edges. Black drum are coming in and will be around grass beds and deep holes in the rivers. Blue crab or shrimp are the best bet for these strong fighting fish. Make sure you have adequate gear and line thickness for these beasts – big ones can easily weigh 20 to 30 pounds, so 40-pound test is recommended.
Whether you're wading, fishing from a boat, a pier or the beach, get out there and have some fun, be safe and explore the beauty of our coast!
Don't wish ... let's go fish!
Captain Jay has over 20 years experience fishing the Georgia coast. He's passionate about fishing and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with you!
