My first Maryland redfish

[J.A. Veil]

I have been excited by the reports of small reds showing up in our local waters. Yet despite numerous trips during which I catch all the perch I want as well as our other local species, I had not been able to catch my first ever Maryland redfish. I fished in Weems this afternoon from my kayak. I cast dozens of times using one of Woody's feather spinner baits and a spinner arm with a Gulp swimming mullet on the other rod.

The perch were cooperative -- they really love Woody's lures. The Gulp bait rarely got touched though. After three hours of catching perch, I decided to try a few more casts in one of my regular spots. I used only the Gulp bait at this spot in the hopes that a red would like the larger scented bait. I caught a silvery fish that from a distance I assumed would be another perch. However when I got it boatside, it had a longer body profile and the telltale spot on its tail. This little redfish was just over 13" long. It did not really fight too hard either. But it allowed me to accomplish my goal. Thanks little redfish.

[SteveL]

Awesome report John--congrats on the Severn red!! I am a fish and wildlife biologist and I am so psyched about the number of reds showing up this year. In another year this age cohort (2011) would be a scream to catch on ultralight gear.

My fishing bud got three of them on a trip to the Severn this week on gulps and one was in the 15 inch range which is a bit larger than most that have been reported. He and I have done very well on gulp baits and we are stocking up for fall redfish blitzes on the Severn!

There are a lot of gulp varieties that you do not find often on tackle store shelves; you can order from Berkley, see:
http://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/soft-bait

[tacklemake]

John they will also hit my Glo-jigs under a float about 24",fishing the grass beds.............woody

[J.A. Veil]

There are a lot of gulp varieties that you do not find often on tackle store shelves; you can order from Berkley, see:
http://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/soft-bait

Steve -

Last fall, I did very well with Gulps (sold by the bag) and proceeded to buy several large tubs of Gulp Alive over the winter. When I opened the first tub, the liquid still smelled funky but had a different scent than the more oily liquid in the bag. I have had relatively poor success using the Gulp Alive in the tubs this year.

Also, when I am casting and retrieving or slow trolling light jigheads, I have had almost no luck at all with Gulps unless they have a flexible tail (like the swimming mullet in 3" or 4"). I have used 2" minnows, jerk shads, and pogies with very little catching success. On bottom rigs or when slowly hopping a bait along the bottom, those other styles of Gulp perform better.

Can you share with us what types of Gulp you use (style, color, lenght, and whether Gulp or Gulp Alive). Thanks.

[SteveL]

John,

It seems like the Gulp vs Gulp Alive difference is only that the GA comes in the bucket with the secret sauce. Although this may be more info than you need, I made recent purchases and I found out that if you buy the GA tub of 2 inch twisters you pay $20 for 55 grubs and if you buy the same lure in Gulp you pay $6 for 20 in the flat pack so they are cheaper. I do not think there is any difference in the baits, only more juice in the GulpAlive. The website lists some lures as freshwater and others as saltwater and some its hard to tell--I have no idea of the difference.

There are some interesting versions and colors available including shad tail and shrimp imitations, even glow in the dark--in the 2 inch size those may all be good baits. The price varies, the 2 inch shrimp are 10 for $6 or twice as much as the 2 inch twisters but they have more bulk and maybe they release more scent and are more bluefish resistant (or not!). I have always been partial to 2 inch twister tails for perch.

Here is the info from some that I just ordered, these 2 inch white or chartreuse twisters on beetle spin set up are my go-to white perch lure and we get lots of other stuff on them. I also purchased some Gulp crab flavored spray that I will try on other lures, I have never tried this product before. See below on order info from Berkley.

Minnow Grub - Gulp!, Size: 2 inches, Amount: 20, Color: Chartreuse
Part #: GMG2-CH (1092936)
Qty: 3
USD$ 17.97

Minnow Grub - Gulp!, Size: 2 inches, Amount: 20, Color: Pearl White
Part #: GMG2-PW (1092940)
Qty: 3
USD$ 17.97

Gulp! Alive! Attractant, Weight: 8 Oz., Scent: Crab
Part #: GSP8-CB (1130448)
Qty: 1
USD$ 8.99

I will be fishing the Severn tomorrow with my friend Bill, launching at Truxton around 8:30 and fishing into the afternoon. We will be in my 17 Mako hitting perch spots and looking for more reds--please say hello if you see us.

[attml]

Way to go John!! Always a lot of fun to have species diversity!!!

[NoleAnimal]

I will be so stoked if keeper reds start showing up here with regularity. Reds are my favorite species to target in Florida. nice job, John. Also, I've noticed no difference between between Gulps in the bag and Gulps in the bucket yet. But I have not used them at all while in the Severn. I've had pretty good success (even better than BKDs) catching Rocks with them, though.

[27 sailfish]

Congrats on catching that fish that has eluded you.

Great to see Weem's creek slowly recovering and fish showing in there again.

[outcast99]

Hi John, I was out perch fishing today but none were bigger then 10.5 I did get my first red drum I was casting Woodys 1/8 oz spiner to grass bed in 3" to 4" water in the main river outside Aisguith Creek near the flag pole the perch were right at the edge of the grass it was none stop......Brian

[J.A. Veil]

Thanks for the report Brian. It sounds like the reds are not only moving up the bay (at least as far as the Magothy), but are also moving upstream in the tidal rivers.

I saw that Gerald reported a large speckled trout near Rock Hall a few days ago -- that is really far north for specs. This is a great year for finding infrequent visitors in our home waters.