The longer days mean some evening kayak trips. Last night, it seemed everything was on my side, we had a southeast wind at about 5-10mph and an out going tide. This past Sunday when I was out, I found a spot that was holding some reds, I got them to chase but never hooked up. This location seems like the ideal scenario for the opportunity to land the slam (Snook, Red, Trout). There is a deeper pool of water just along side a channel with a strong outflow current. I launched at 5:00pm and headed to my new found spot, upon arrival I was surrounded by mullet as far as I could see. For anyone that doesn't know the significance of mullet, they are one easy way to find redfish and/or speckled trout. They will follow the schools of mullet and feed on shrimp or crabs etc. that are kicked up by the grazing mullet. I quietly made my way to a location that allowed me to face into the wind and cast uptide and staked out. Armed with my Mirrolure top water plug, natural bone color, I started making some long cast to the outer edge of the grass flat. After several huge blow ups I was finally hooked up. There is nothing quite as exciting, like the music that the drag from my Penn Sargus 4k makes. After a short fight I landed my first red of the evening, as it turns out it is also my first top water red. Needless to say I was ecstatic.
After a quick picture and a successful revival and release I was back after them. It wasn't long before I hooked up on some more reds only to have them come off boat side. Total count for this location, two boated reds and one trout.
With the sun starting to dip down behind the tree line and an empty stomach I pulled up anchor and started to make my way back along the beach. I was drifting, and tossing up against the shoreline and that's when it happened, a Snook!!! booyaahh! I couldn't believe it, was this really going to happen? Was this going to be my first slam, and all top water? Ever so carefully I wrestled with this little muscle fish. And then just as fast as it hit he was gone, I lost him.... Wiping the tears from my eyes I clipped the lure to the rod and tucked it away for the paddle home. Okay, while not technically a slam because I did not land the snook. I still had one on.! I would consider this a successful trip, I went out for like two hours and fought nearly eight reds and a snook.
http://www.suncoastkayakfishing.org/2012/04/top-water-slam.html
I know what you mean, gotta love the extra time. Great story and pics, makes me want to head out after work tomorrow. Of course while you lost the snook it still counts as a catch because you can evoke the fishing alone clause! As long as no one was around to see you lose it, then you can claim it as a catch! At least that is how I feel it should go. Then again you could head back out there and try it again. Looking forward to hearing about it.