A fishing trip is a great way to send off your college student

In early August, many parents are preparing for their children to head off for college. It is an exciting and unsettling time for both parents and children. If it is possible to be happy, proud and sad all at the same time, for many families it is happening right now. My son Elliott graduated from college several years ago, but I still distinctly recall the rollercoaster of emotions in the days before he left.

If you have a child that is soon to be leaving, take a few hours and go fishing together. Fishing transports you away from the details of everyday life. It is quiet, providing you a great opportunity to talk. Before the trip is over, make sure to tell them that you are very proud of them (because they need to hear it). Tell them you are apprehensive about your changing relationship (because they are to). Most importantly, tell them your love is unconditional (because they will depend on it). Whether you catch a fish or not, make sure to take a picture and share it with each other. In the coming weeks, months and years your child will look at the photo and remember your talk. Memories are the best catch that fishing has to offer.

In the hope that your picture actually has a fish in it, I recommend casting a live shrimp (on a lead head jig) to oyster bars that are adjacent to deeper water. With the surface water temperature approaching the 90-degree range, Redfish and Trout are holding in deeper and cooler water. When they get hungry, a shrimp feast is a short trip away in the shallows. So bouncing a live shrimp on a jig down the depth transition is a pretty sure bet for consistent action.

Good luck!

Contact Capt. Greg at: captgregp@gmail.com and (843) 224-0099.