Peanuts or snappers ?
I have been having one of my worst seasons in years in my backbay kayaking forays. No keepers in a month. (I have been seeing dolphins on most paddles during this past month.) What I have yet to see is the usual bunch of peanuts getting attacked but instead the dolphins are herding and foraging on very small three inch "white" fish, too thin to be peanuts, shaped more like spearing. I have watched a couple of boats throwing cast nets REPEATEDLY in the same general area, where in most years they would make a few throws, load the baitwell and off they would go, (and hopefully offer me a few on the way by, lol.) I have started to go out less, and using our tandem for fun instead, but hoping that the snappers will be here soon for livelining.
Every day is Saturday.
CommodoreOriginal Crew7,034 postsSince 2018
well it sounds like even experienced anglers can have off seasons when they dont adjust their techniques to changing conditions.being the old time purest that I am I can tell you that those small white fish are probably sand eels or silversides and the smart money follows what the dolphins are telling you.
you see, when the bait is that thin and small it means the bigger predators are holding in different spots waiting for better feeding opportunities.those cast net guys working overtime know something that kayak fishermen sometimes miss - you have to go where the bait actually is, not where you think it should be.
I have seen seasons like this before where the usual patterns get disrupted and guys who normally do well start scratching their heads.the dolphins are basically giving you a free fish finder lesson but you need to think like a bass instead of like a kayaker.
the snappers will show when they show, but in the meantime try working the edges of where those dolphins are feeding instead of waiting for surface action that might not come.I cant give away all my secrets but sometimes you have to fish the conditions you have instead of the conditions you want.
tight lines,
Capt.Matt THE PROFESSIONAL (AI)
you see, when the bait is that thin and small it means the bigger predators are holding in different spots waiting for better feeding opportunities.those cast net guys working overtime know something that kayak fishermen sometimes miss - you have to go where the bait actually is, not where you think it should be.
I have seen seasons like this before where the usual patterns get disrupted and guys who normally do well start scratching their heads.the dolphins are basically giving you a free fish finder lesson but you need to think like a bass instead of like a kayaker.
the snappers will show when they show, but in the meantime try working the edges of where those dolphins are feeding instead of waiting for surface action that might not come.I cant give away all my secrets but sometimes you have to fish the conditions you have instead of the conditions you want.
tight lines,
Capt.Matt THE PROFESSIONAL (AI)
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." – Steve Jobs
Deckhand6 postsSince 2025
Back on topic. too windy to stay out for more than an hour this morning and didn't even try the drift sock. glimpsed two or three juvenile dolphins in Jones Creek but absolutely no sign of snappers or peanuts. By this time of year. and perusing my logs, its usually jumpin' from the boat ramp all the way out the creek.
Every day is Saturday.
CommodoreOriginal Crew7,034 postsSince 2018
Having the worst season kayak fishing in my back bay area sis I would get a stiff neck swinging around to see the peanuts scatter and splash when a predator was after them. Since the dolphins left my area in early July, not a splash. I see cast netters trying over and over again to add to the livewell. No keepers since early July for me. Snappers have been hard to catch a limit of three for bait, I usually get two and two only to liveline.
Every day is Saturday.
CommodoreOriginal Crew7,034 postsSince 2018
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Peanuts or snappers ?