The month of June has seen a stretch of windy weather unlike anything I have experienced since, well, May? In point of fact, the first half of 2013 has been the windiest six-month stretch of my 20-year guiding career. I am really glad I have my trusty Jones Brothers underfoot to soften the ride.
Regardless, we are experiencing yet another outstanding season with speckled trout. As anticipated, numbers are down slightly from 2012 but the average size is greater. To date, we have had many more specks of 23-inches and larger, with several in the 27-inch range. I look for a super fall with some really big fish!!
Redfish, or puppy drum as they are known hereabouts, are slowly increasing in numbers. These hard-fighting bulldogs have grown as well. Most that we have caught have been in the 19 to 22-inch size range. I can honestly say they’ll make you forget all about speckled trout. There’s no quit in a red.
Stripers and bluefish round out the usual daily catch, with even a few weakfish (grey trout) in the mix. Flounder have yet to make a showing, but then the breezy conditions have not really been conducive to good flounder fishing. Take a visual stroll through some of this past month’s action.
Steve Smith nailed this healthy rockfish in heavy grass
John Lupenitti with a fly caught speck
Mark Nichols enjoyed another great day
Phil Bangert hefts a 27-inch speck
Jack McKenna had fun with the long stick
Jack’s trout were caught on his son Kevin’s hand-tied pink Cactus Striper
Burt Anderson’s custom-tied flies are works of art
..and put to the test..
..this bluefish proves they’re not just pretty to look at
John McMinn fooled this colorful speck on a fly
Kevin Gladhill enjoyed an outstanding day with big specks
Kevin released all of his trout to be caught again
Bob Clark became a believer in plastic jigs
Bob with another beauty!
Chris Harley proudly displays a nice four-pound trout
Spencer Schenking with one of several weakfish caught this day
Spencer’s dad Mike with a grey trout of his own
Spence doubles-up on trout with a fine speck
This good-sized croaker fell to Spence’s Clouser Minnow
Mike adds a speck of his own
Susan Kemp had the hot hand early with big specks
Susan’s 9 year old grandson Nick McIver was top dog for the day with his 24.5″ rockfish
Bo Hardesty and Steve Schad with a brace of specks
Steve had lots to smile about as he and Bo landed over 30 trout for the day
Howard Stinefelt braved windy conditions to land this fat speck
Josenhans Fly Fishing Blog 