The spring time transition frenzy has started! Our large trout have started to move out. The red fish have already begun to start grouping up in small schools. And snook are moving out of the backwaters, ending up up on the flats as they make their journey to the beaches to spawn. The bait has already started coming in strong! Although the bait is coming in I have been still catching tons of fish on shrimp artificial lures like the Monster 3X! Other very productive baits have been Mirro Lure's Mirrodine and Yo-Zuri's Sashimi Top Water Pencil. Sometimes if my clients do not feel comfortable using artificial lures I have been using live shrimp, which has been productive as well. A couple of days ago my clients were using shrimp catching nice red fish and flounder. They told me that they would love to watch me to catch something on artificial lure. I saw a large shadow of a fish, of just its head inside of a pothole. I pitched my top water over at it and it took off into the grass where I couldn't see it anymore. Soon as I finished my retrieve I launched it into the dark grassy area. My second twitch BOOM it missed it, then BOOM it missed it again, and the third time the snook inhaled it! Fish ON! I had to pull the anchor because it literally almost spooled me! I was only using 20lb Seaguar Fluorocarbon and could feel the gills of the fish cutting through it! Finally I got her to the boat and I could only fit her head in the net! Measured just under the 40 inch mark. My client Freaked out and told me he couldn't believe that there were fish like that in the water! lol! He said I was just standing in the water with that thing! I then told him that the fish had know teeth, and that you could actually hold him like a bass. He was truly amazed that an artificial lure caught the biggest fish of the day. I tell everyone that if you believe that you will catch something on a lure, YOU WILL! Confidence is the key to success!
Eric Henson
Kayak Wars have Begun!
Adam Calderon
Patrick Nespeca
Kayak Wars is a year long tournament that is held world wide. Team Get Bent Fishing is in the US Southeast Division. We blasted off the tournament with a great start! The fist week we managed to land 6 red drum over 20 up to 29 inches, 13 trout over 20 inches, and 24 snook over 20 and up to 37 inches. The first day we caught 5 trophy snook which is any snook over 32 inches. We are aloud to use live bait but, all the fish so far have been caught on artificial lures like soft plastics (Exude's Darts, Mirro Lure's Lil Johns, and intimation shrimp), suspension lures (Yo-zuri's Shashimi Jerk-bait, Mirro Lure's Mirrodine), and Top-waters (Yo-zuri's Pecil , Heddon's Spooks). For inshore, I usually stick to 15-20 lb braided line with 20-30 Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader depending on the targeted species and clarity of the water. We only get to fish together once or twice a week so strategically picking spots is crucial! Also choosing our gear has has to be top notch, so we have the best chance possible. My kayaks of choice are the Old Town Predator 13 for inshore and Ocean Kayak's Prowler Big Game 2 for the offshore. Both Outstanding kayaks for the Southeast Region's waters. Paddles of choice are between Bending Branches Angler Pro, Angler Ace, and Aqua-Bounds Manta Ray Carbon. All these paddles are exceptionally light weight and cut through the water with ease. For my kayak accessories I depend on Yak-Gear. They have everything thing you can imagine to make kayaking more manageable. (Anchor Systems, Rod Holders, Lighting, Camera Booms, etc...) For eye wear I can't even imagine being without my Costa Sunglasses! The 580 Green Mirror or Amber are my lenses of choice, helping me see incredibly more on the water. Last but definitely not least is Buff USA. Their buffs and gloves are comfortable and provide great UV protection to keep me on the water longer. Being equipped and organized is one of the biggest keys to success on the water! All though we are still looking for one more teammate, we are all very passionate about fishing and hope to continue on this epic adventure! Up above are teammates Adam Calderon, Patrick Nespeca and I with trophy snook.:)