Monday Flounder Update: First replica fish of 2011...
Greetings fellow flounder fanatics!
Our first replica fish of 2011 came in today via 2009 Flounder Revolution (R) Angler of the Year Chris Dial. The fish measured 21 5/8-inches and gave Chris an experience he is not soon to forget. Here's the e-mail he sent to me which he kindly agreed to share with everyone. It contains some good tips so take note.
"Yesterday was a good day for me. I got to do some night fishing at a friends house on Offatts Bayou and the trout were in there thick. Then I headed to t go fish a flounder hole that I thought looked good based on the Flatfish University (TM) class we went to in Beaumont and it did not dissapoint. I was looking for shad and I found them holding tight to a sunken barge that was accessable by land so I didn't even have to get wet," Dial said.
"The shad were tiny so I tied on two crappie jig heads 1/16 oz and put on some of those Southern Pro curly tails you gave my dad and I at the class and I started getting bit right away but I was having trouble getting hooked up so I decided to open the gap of the hooks a little bit and thats when I started getting them."
"Alot of the fish were under sized along with a few whiting and croaker and then I felt the slightest bump and then the line started moving towards me. I reeled up and lifted the rod tip just to see if the fish was still on and it was heavy and i knew right away that it was a good flounder. I forgot my net and I was freaking out. I set the hook and she started ripping drag heading towards a massive pile of rocks so I got in the water and started muscling her towards me. I got her head turned finally and then I couldn't figure out how i was going to get her landed and then I saw the size of her."
"I had to jump rocks for about 200 yards with the fish shaking her head at the surface to get to a sloping sandy area so I could drag her up with out losing her. She was 21 5/8 inches and I took the pictures and released her. That was probably the most exciting catch of my life. I don't think I have ever worked that hard for one fish in my life."
2009 Flounder Revolution (R) Angler of the Year Chris Dial with the first replica fish entered in 2011.
Back on the Water
With all of the craziness of the first part of this year I did not get to fish much so I am making my first excursion into the marshes of Southwest Louisiana of 2011. I look forward to using some of the new gear I have and focus on some strategies I believe will help me catch more BIG flounder this year than I have ever caught. And of course the goal is to transfer that information to all of you and help your fishing dreams come true.
More soon...
Chester Moore
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