High tides from Tropical Storm Debby bring high water and easy access to reds
Persistent east winds in recent weeks, most notably in association with Tropical Storm Debby, have effectively put the summer trout slam on hold as rough seas keep most anglers from the outer bays. For those still looking for some line-tugging action, the higher tides have provided great conditions for pursuing reds in the interior marshes.
Adam Duris of Mandeville has been hitting the Biloxi Marsh and its resident redfish hard in the last couple of weeks along with many other anglers waiting for the winds to lie down.
“We’ve been fishing Muscle Bay, Pete’s Lagoon, Cutoff Lagoon and everywhere in between lately,” reported Duris. “The water has been really clear and we’re finding fish way up in the duck ponds, places we usually wouldn’t be able to get to in a 21 foot bay boat.”
Duris indicated that despite the unrelenting winds, the smaller waters deep in the Biloxi Marsh have remained in great shape, even allowing for site casting opportunities on some days. Reports from area guides have echoed the sentiment as many have put the chase for specks on hold, choosing instead to hunker in the marsh chasing reds.
According to Duris, the pattern hasn’t been anything you wouldn’t expect for chasing reds on this type of pattern.
“Spinner baits paired with a Deadly Dudley in Blue Moon or avocado along with gold spoons have been our best baits, though plenty of people have also been catching with live or dead shrimp under corks,” he added.
Duris indicated that there’s been no need to get out there early as the bite usually continues through at least the late morning.
“We’ve been launching from Breton Sound Marina around 7 a.m. and fishing to early afternoon,” he said. “Last week we launched with the water about 1 foot over the cleaning station deck at the marina.”
Though most of the fish have ranged from 18 to 26 inches, Duris has also latched into some bulls with a few over 28 inches and one pushing 35 inches.
“It’s too bad we weren’t participating in the recent redfish tournament because we got into some perfect slot reds under 27 inches,” he reported.
With water levels still above normal, there’s plenty of time for anglers to take advantage of the increased access to the Biloxi Marsh’s deepest corners. This pattern has been a great way to bide your time before the winds lie down and allow everyone to resume their traditional summertime speck pursuit in the outer bays.
