‘Inshore slam’ brings fishing family together in Florida

Fishing with Greg in Naples, Florida

***image1***I had a charter from Naples, Florida understandably reschedule, leaving Saturday open to fish for fun. I was joined on this trip by my son and brother. We launched the skiff around 9:30. Even with the late start, the boat ride to our first fishing spot was a bit chilly. The crisp autumn air and noticeably cooler water temperatures had us anticipating a banner day of fishing.

In the first few casts, my brother caught a flounder, redfish and trout. Catching three inshore species in a single day is known as an "inshore slam." While not rare, it is considered a fishing accomplishment. Being a pretty competitive family, the good- natured trash talking began almost immediately! Later in the morning, my son and I had a couple of trout and flounder to our credit. Of course, my brother was quick to remind us we were missing the reds to complete our inshore slams.

Trash talking was reaching an all-time high and the pressure was building to produce a few reds. As such, we abandoned a pretty steady trout and flounder pattern in search of the elusive (at least that morning) redfish. It was a good move. The first cast at the new location produced an over-sized red. Unfortunately, for my son and me, it was caught by my brother. This is the catalyst for even more trash talking! Shortly afterwards, I caught a lower slot red to complete my slam.

All the pressure now shifted to my son who was dead set on getting the no-slam-monkey (along with his father and uncle) off his back. You know the pressure to complete a slam is getting to an angler when they begin saying, "darn it’s just another trout!" Or, "let’s move there are too many flounder here."

Mercifully, shortly after noon my son caught a pretty good redfish and completed the inshore slam. The trash-talking tables quickly turned as my son observed his red was much bigger than mine! We all begin laughing so much, I was afraid someone would fall out of the boat.

After composing ourselves, we decided to call it day. Riding back to the boat landing, I was struck how unusual it was for three anglers to complete an inshore slam on the same day. Looking at the smiles on the faces of my brother and son, I realized the best catch of the day was our time spent together. Catching fish was just a bonus!

On Saturday, the water was clear with a temperature between 65-67 degrees. A couple of the trout were caught on top with a Zara Spook Junior. All the other fish caught on lead head jigs tipped with Gulp shrimp and swimming minnows. Totals for the day, 6 reds, 9 trout and 7 flounder released. We kept 4 flounder and a deep-hooked trout for dinner.

Fresh water
fishing trends at Lake Moultrie

Largemouth Bass: Slow, casting spinnerbaits, plastic worms and lizards along docks and structure. Also, casting Rattletraps and Rapala lures around Pinopolis Point and Old Hatchery. Striped Bass: poor, casting and trolling Stretch-25s early morning. Crappie: Excellent, try using crickets and small to medium minnows around fish attraction areas and brush piles. Some crappie being caught on the bed with minnows and jigs. Catfish: Good, 9 to 15 feet deep using cut herring, stink bait, chicken livers and shiners 9 to 20 feet deep near the bottom dike edges and around the dam. Bream: Excellent, try using crickets and redworms, nightcrawlers around fish attraction areas and banks. Shellcrackers: Poor. Try using crickets and redworms along the banks in river runs and along points, possibly in canals.

Saltwater fishing trends at the piers

Winyah Bay Fishing and Observation Pier (Georgetown): Open 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, with free parking and fishing. Visitors also enjoy great bird watching. A Freshwater Fishing License is required due to brackish water. A second fishing pier on Winyah Bay has now opened called Hobcaw Point Observation and Fishing Pier. Flounder and a variety of other fish such as whiting are taking cut bait.

Folly Beach Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. April through October. Spotted sea trout and whiting both caught with shrimp.