Grubology

It was a perfectly beautiful day on the water.  We got an early start while it was still brisk.  The marshes are starting to brown up now.  We heard the clapper rails making their sounds as we trolled along the banks of the waving Spartina.  The oyster catchers were picking along the banks in flocks of 15-20 birds.  I think that they are so interesting and well adapted to the habitat in which they feed. 

I taught C. some of the finer points of grubology which is essentially about how to twitch a little rubbery Mister Twister and make the fish think that it is something enticing to eat.  We looked at all the different grubs and decided to use one of the white tailed ones with a sparkling head.  I have a box of grubs, a box of plugs, a box of hooks, and other boxes of various secret weapons for luring fish to bite. I've learned over the years that one can never have too much tackle or too many grubs.  I seldom lose one to a fish but must have lost hundreds of dollars worth of grubs and lures from snagging on oysters.  It's just one of the hazards of fishing.  

I guess the lesson in grubology paid off because by noon, we had caught eleven of the much prized spotted sea trout.  We also fished with some popping plugs and finger mullet.  But the sparkling grubs were the biggest draw.  The total catch for the day was 16.  Every one was released except one poor fish that had swallowed the hook on the grub.  I hate when that happens.  But it meant some tasty fried fish for dinner which helped absolve some of the guilt. 

One of the unique things that we saw today was the strand feeding of dolphins in the shallow waters of some of the tidal creeks.  Basically what they do is move into shallow water as the tide drops and corral the fish there so that they can eat them.  And sometimes they throw themselves right up on the bank in pursuit of mullet.  It is always a thrilling sight to see.  Dolphins have a particular joie de vivre that I love.

It was just a great day to be outside.  I don't have much else to share other than to be grateful to have had as much fun, as many laughs, and as much beauty as I could take in for this day.  Good night!