Well the fishing is challenging these days. The red tide just keeps on hanging around. Each week, there are moments when it seems like we might get a bit of clearing, then another few thousand fish come floating by and get washed up on the beach. For the most part, they are pinfish, mullet, and catfish. But just like a canary in a cage used by miners to test the air quality, they are indicators of what is going on in the water. From our observations, it appears that the only fish hanging around are Snook and Mangrove Snapper. Not sure why they are able to withstand the poor water quality better than the rest, but they are hanging around. Unfortunately, the snook are skinny and act odd at times, as though they are on the border line of their ability to tolerate the toxins created by the algae.
This week, tropical storm Gordon came blowing through for a Labor Day weekend visit. Since I had the day off, I was hoping to get some fishing in, but when I saw the forecast due to Gordon, I suspected that the holiday would end up being a great day to be inside and watch the wind and rain, hoping nothing was going to be blown off the house. As the day began it was just as advertised; gusty winds and rain squalls. Of course we decided to go fishing anyway, and nearly got blown off the dock at the end of the island where there was no wind break. However, back in the canals we did actually catch a few Snook and a single small Grouper. I also got a chance to prove my theory about the difference between “water resistant” and “water proof” shorts. For the record, “water resistant” leaves you with a wet butt, just as you would expect…
Fortunately, Gordon blew on out of town and fairly clear weather returned to the island. Jason and I decided to give trout fishing a try. Now we had not seen or caught a trout anywhere for some time (as if we could really see them in the dark orange water), but the tide conditions were right for the trout spot, so we decided to give it a go. After a few minutes it was clear that there was nobody home, and I mean no-body. Puffer fish, which usually destroy our soft plastic baits when nothing else is around, have all died and have been on the beach by the hundreds. And after a few minutes of wading in the cruddy looking water which seems to be making people sick at a record clip, we decided to head back to the docks to see what else might be around.
Well, to our surprise, there were hundreds of Snook around the docks. We caught a few quickly as they seemed to be feeding in a way they hadn’t for a while. We caught a few and then noticed a large pod of Dolphin hunting around in the tide a short distance from the docks. As we continued to fish, and create splashy fish sounds, the Dolphin decided that they would come and investigate. They often hunt Snook around the docks, but have trouble as the Snook hide under the docks where the pilings keep them safe from the hunters. As I was fighting a small Snook, I saw a Dolphin headed my way, and hurried to get the Snook onto the dock before he became lunch. By the time I got him onto the dock, there were two Dolphin parked at the end of the dock, looking at me with their heads cocked to the side, motioning for me to toss them a snack. As I stood there watching them, thinking I was imagining that they were actually waiting on me, they were in fact clearly communicating as best they could – “Pleeeease can we have a snack?” I was conflicted for a minute, not wanting to have the Dolphin hanging around while we fished, and then what about the poor Snook? However, I gave into the urge to see what might happen, and I tossed the Snook toward the Dolphins snout (it was only a few feet away, so it was not difficult to do). As the Snook was in the air, I suspect he had a moment to evaluate his predicament. Already caught, but heading back to freedom. But then, oh my, Dolphin! As the Snook hit the water/snout, he did what crafty Snook do and flipped, kicked and escaped back to the safety under the dock. The Dolphin tried to snatch him up, but failed. Eventually the pair left to hunt on their own, disappointed that I did not make it easier on them.
Given the Snook were so abundant, we returned the next evening with expectations of Snook catching, and this time we would not only have our limited Trout gear and lures, but we would be fully Snooked-up. 
When we hit the docks, it was clear (well figuratively speaking, the water was still not clear) that there were Snook around for the catching again. As I was fishing, I thought I saw a Redfish. To be fair, most fish look somewhat red in the water that is out there now, but this fish had a different shape than a Snook. I told Jason that I thought I saw a Redfish, but could not be sure. Moments later, Jason was hooked up with a good size fish, and instead of running toward the dock like a Snook does, it was running away. Redfish! We had been hoping that the Redfish would return this fall. They totally bypassed the island last fall, and we caught very, very few. Shortly later, Jason caught another, and then another. Three Redfish! As we finished our fishing for the evening, we left with hopes that this is the beginning of something good, and maybe the Redfish are starting to move in.
There is some hope that a tropical storm like Gordon will break the red tide logjam and send some of this stuff out into the gulf and away from the beaches. We can only hope and pray that we get some relief soon. But in the meantime, Jason and I will keep on catching whatever is around and biting. Are the red tide Redfish an indication of things to come, or just an blip on the red tide radar? Only time will tell.
David