keaton report March 17-18 2017

Keaton Beach Report 3.17.17

Just when you thought it was safe to go back out on the water and "One Last COLD Front" dropped the Gulf water temps back closer to 50 than 70 degrees where they were five days ago. Dang, our trout at Keaton Beach were just starting to respond to the warmer water temps and take plugs on the surface or hard jerkbaits just under the surface like the three I caught Friday in under an hour (missed three or they missed me) then had one around five pounds hit 20 feet from the boat and I snatched it away from him on reaction. It was blowing 18 knots; then suddenly laid back to around 10 knots and my plug bite was over. I was fishing in 3.0 > 3.5 feet of water.

Spoke to quite a few folks who had a great day, Friday last, with limits of trout for several boats who fished the entire day. I don't expect this weekend to be any fun whatsoever. As of today, Wednesday water temps are around 53 with two more nights of "cold" coming for us. Hard freeze Thursday will likely take all the taste out of their mouths, for trout on the flats, for a few days.

If you have to go I'd guess you could try for a redfish back in the creeks some where. I would have to think live, dead or synthetic bait would be best. IN other words....glorified cat fishing.....may take a few redfish this weekend.

Speaking of reds, I had some boys from Homerville and Pearson, Ga. out with me last Thursday and although the trout just didn't want much to do with us, Phillip Cook caught a 50" , right, fifty inch redfish on a live pinfish under a Back Bay Thunder. Took over 14 minutes to land it as he just didn't want to come near the boat. Swam off, after pictures, still angry

One good thing about this latest weather is maybe the rain we had in front of the front will help add a little stain in the water near larger creek mouths. Also this W-I-N-D event may have stirred up some some debris in the water. Now, if it will just warm back up in time to take advantage of some added "color" in the water,.