[flathead]

Usually stay a couple weeks or the whole month of October. This year had a place rented for the whole month but wife had emergency heart surgery 9/23 and the caridiologist didn't clear her for travel until 10/23, so we headed down the evening of the 24th for a planned two week stay. Where we stay we have direct inlet access so I can wade and fly fish and also direct beach access. Minnow traps I set out were full each time I checked with some really nice mud minnows. Plenty of finger mullet still in the inlet so I had a 5 gal bucket full in no time.

Standard two hook bottom rigs

Fished the surf Sunday,10/25 from 2:00 (low tide was 1:00) to about 5:30 pm. Caught lots of black drum, some spots, whiting, and flounder. Stayed busy baiting rods for that 3 1/2 hours. Best bait was Fishbites bloodworms fast action. Fly fished the inlet for about an hour. Missed several. as casting tan/gold Gartside Gurglers, gold spoon flies, and chartreuse/white clousers.

Wife started feeling pretty bad so only fished the inlet Monday 10/26 for about an hour. Was catching black drum two at a time along with toads and pinfish. Missed a couple nice runs on live finger mullet. Packed up and came home the next am.

High tides had the dock 6" under water Monday night and Tuesday am the water was a foot deep at the realtor's office.Had to drive two miles up beach road to exit.

Gonna be a long winter.

 

[piscesman]

First off glad your wife is OK. Can't plan for those kind of emergencies. Also don't blame you for taking care of her. Fish when you can and do the right thing. Next year will come but with the WIFE. Fishing is a wonderful stress reliever which you must have had a ton. At least you were able to do some fishing and go home with your wife. A win-win situation if there was ever one. Take care and have fun next year...............
Kim:fishing: