The First New Species for 2024

by | Feb 17, 2024 | fly fishing for new species | 2 comments

Sea-IslandFirst and foremost, the host of this great trip to Sea Island Resort GA, friend George Hillenbrand, made it home in one piece yesterday after his fall and he’s comfortably and happily at home in Jupiter, FL.  We sent him some fish pics from yesterday and he was thrilled.  And he was even more excited that we went deep in dinner last night.  George loves to see us eat!

 

Capt-Kyle-MeyerThe weather definitely deteriorated overnight.  Rain and wind was strong in the wee hours.  Luckily both eased by morning.  We were worried that our after breakfast shooting session might cancel but we got it in without any problem at all.  Then after lunch five of us headed back out with Capt. Kyle Meyer fishing.

 

flyfishingWhile the weather forgave for shooting, it was nasty for fishing.  Last night’s rain returned and it was heavy.  We made a 45 minute run out to some offshore wrecks and reefs to try our hand at some different fish species.  The ride was a bit chilly and a couple of our far-from-hardcore anglers were wishing they weren’t there.  But we made it and the fish were waiting.

 

toadfishKyle stopped the boat in exactly 42 feet deep water over the first reef.  The second Larry, Adam and John hit bottom with their live shrimp they were hooked up.  For the first 15 minutes it was black seabass after black seabass.  John snuck in this unusual looking bottom dwelling oyster toadfish.

 

black-seabassIt’s not easy to get a fly down 40 feet.  I was fishing my 9-weight Air 2 Max, my SA Sonar Sink 25 Cold 300 GR and a heavy Clouser.  The technique is make a short cast than do some fancy mending while you feed the line.  Within two minutes my fly was in the zone.  Chip was doing the same only with a floating line.  It took him about ten minutes to get down.  Regardless, once we got the fly down we also went tight every time with black seabass.  Everyone forgot about being cold and wet with all the fish catching action.

 

weakfish-flyfishingAfter pounding the seabass for 30 minutes or so we made a move.  And a lucky one.  Though we were over structure in 40 ft. of water again, Kyles fish finder showed a school of fish suspended about 20 ft. down.  In seconds I went tight and landed a new species for my list.  This is my first of three weakfish (Cynoscion regalis).

 

red-snapperWe bounced between several spots for about two hours.  By then everyone was numb with the cold and rain.  At the last spot another species joined in.  Had I landed one it would have been another new species for the list but only the live shrimp boys caught them.  This is the famous, red snapper.  I say “red” snapper cautiously because there are a few similar looking species of snapper that take on the name “red snapper”.  Feel free to share your thoughts in the “Comments” box below.

 

sea-islandWhat a great day.  Despite weather challenges we truly made the best of things and had a terrific time.  And to add a new species for my list so early in 2024 – the best!  Naturally, we ended the night with a big celebratory meal.  Tonight was delicious Italian food at Tavola at The Cloister.  Now it’s time for bed.  Chip and I plan to fish in the morning.

 

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

2 Comments

  1. Lance

    Glad George is doing well. Bad weather..not good, dredging deep..good times! Congrads on new spieces, going to start calling you Gretzky!! No one is going to catch you! No opinion on the red snapper, they all look the same to me. Noticed you didn’t mention your shooting skills today..lol

  2. Jeff

    Thanks Lance! Actually my shooting was much better today. I might even paint a ruffed grouse for a coffee mug. Man – I must be feeling good about it!

Welcome to the Blog of Jeff Currier!

Contact Jeff

I started fly fishing at age 7 in the lakes and ponds of New England cutting my teeth on various sunfish, bass, crappie and stocked trout. I went to Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, where I graduated with a Naturalist Degree while I discovered new fishing opportunities for pike, muskellunge, walleyes and various salmonids found in Lake Superior and its tributaries.

From there I headed west to work a few years in the Yellowstone region to simply work as much as most people fish and fish as much as most people work. I did just that, only it lasted over 20 years working at the Jack Dennis Fly Shop in Jackson, WY where I departed in 2009. Now it’s time to work for "The Man", working for myself that is.

I pursue my love to paint fish, lecture on every aspect of fly fishing you can imagine and host a few trips to some of the most exotic places you can think of. My ultimate goal is to catch as many species of fish on fly possible from freshwater to saltwater, throughout the world. I presently have taken over 440 species from over 60 countries!

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