trotted dead baits

[Dave White]

after an afternoon off watching fishing shows on the tv i have another fishing question.would i have any luck casting a dead bait into the river mouth at the end of turtle beach and letting it drift out into the bay ? i think if there has been a really heavy downpour the river flows quite strongly and colours the bay.just a thought to keep me going `til next october

[Matt Jenkins]

Hi Dave,

I haven't tried trotting dead baits at that spot but snook have been reoprted in that area before. I don't see any reason why free-lined dead baits wouldn't work. There are 2 issues however...the visibility is especially bad in that area due to the silt from the river so an nice oily bait would be ideal...maybe a nice fat strip from the false albacore/bonito that are landed by the local fishermen or from the seine net...lend a hand and they'll usually give you one fish for your troubles.

The only other issue is the current swings sharply to the right and heads around the end of the jetty and swings round the right side of the bay so it's just a matter of paying attention as to where your bait is going. The ground around that area is also quite rough. I reckon you'd have some luck if you have the patience...so good luck when you go!

Matt

[Steve Pitts]

Hi Dave

I can't admit to trying trotted dead baits at the mouth of the Courland River at the Plymouth end of RTB, but I have tried deadbaiting elsewhere, with modest success for tarpon.

Have a look at my 'bago fishing diary here - http://www.mytobago.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3521 and find the entry for the evening of the 16th May and the following morning.

There are usually tarpon around the old jetty at the mouth of the Courland and as Matt says, the current usually swings around to the r/hand side, as you stand facing the sea from the beach. I would guess that high tides would be best for this sort of method, as the water can be too shallow at low tide.

If you don't already use them, circle hooks are good for fishing dead baits, but don't strike hard - just tighten up when you get a run and 'ease' into the fish.

Best of luck

Steve

PS
If anyone fancies reading about my recent infidelity to the Tobago fishing , I have posted a report of a trip to the Seychelles here -
http://www.caranx.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=2772

[Toine & Lia]

Hi Steve,

Just read your report on the Seychelles trip. WOW... mind blowing. I had Kenia, Tanzania or the Pemba Islands in mind for our next fishing trip. After reading your story we have to add the Seychelles on our list too.

You made us (both Lia and me) very jealous. We just returned from Tobago after spending two weeks searching for a decent fish. Which proved to be very hard this time. It tooks us three early morning sessions to catch anything else than a needlefish. Grange Bay (to the left) delivered finally a good size jack and a big barracuda on a surface lure (grey back skitter walk, Rapala).

I'll post a topic about the in- and offshore fishing, later.

Regards

Toine & Lia van Ierland

[Steve Pitts]

Hi Steve,

Just read your report on the Seychelles trip. WOW... mind blowing.

Hi Toine

Nice to hear from you - It really was a trip of a life time!
The bonefish were not as big as 'bago bones, but those GT's are something else.

I enjoyed reading your recent report. The fishing around Tobago has been a bit 'off' lately with the strong winds having a lot to do with it I'm sure. It's such a shame when a period like this coincides with an annual holiday, when you look forward to it so much.

Maybe some settled weather will bring a return to the usual patterns of catches.

Cheers
Steve