GRUNTER - The nightmare that would not stop

[briansflyfishing]

I went out this morning onto a sand bank with high expectations of getting a grunter or two. From a distance I saw them slowly cruising some in a school of up to 8 fish.

My blood started rushing through my veins, I could not beleive that I was surrounded by Grunter everywhere.

On my first three casts I spooked the fish and watched them dissapearing into the distance.

Then I read the direction correctly and dropped my fly about 2 meters in front of a big guy, he immediately turned towards the fly and I started my retrieve. He followed for about 3 -4 meters and turned away.

Again and again this happened for about 4 hours. I changed flies and retrieved speeds and actions but nothing.
They would follow the fly and turn, some fish followed up to 2 meters from me.

I could clearly see that the interest was there, even though they were tailing at times.

I've heard the stories of this experience so many times.

Has anyone out there changed such a day into one that would stop a grown man cry like a baby?

Brian

[fdavis]

Haha. Welcome to the world of grunter on fly. They will bring you to your knees far more often than they will ever give you the pleasure of catching one on fly.

Be prepared and good luck.

[Garage]

Sounds about right! A typical day of grunter fishing.

[petercoetzee]

I went out this morning onto a sand bank with high expectations of getting a grunter or two. From a distance I saw them slowly cruising some in a school of up to 8 fish.

My blood started rushing through my veins, I could not beleive that I was surrounded by Grunter everywhere.

On my first three casts I spooked the fish and watched them dissapearing into the distance.

Then I read the direction correctly and dropped my fly about 2 meters in front of a big guy, he immediately turned towards the fly and I started my retrieve. He followed for about 3 -4 meters and turned away.

Again and again this happened for about 4 hours. I changed flies and retrieved speeds and actions but nothing.
They would follow the fly and turn, some fish followed up to 2 meters from me.

I could clearly see that the interest was there, even though they were tailing at times.

I've heard the stories of this experience so many times.

Has anyone out there changed such a day into one that would stop a grown man cry like a baby?

Brian

Haha. Welcome my friend. Yip def sounds like there should have been a few potentials if they were behaving like that. What system?

[fish]

I went out this morning onto a sand bank with high expectations of getting a grunter or two. From a distance I saw them slowly cruising some in a school of up to 8 fish.

My blood started rushing through my veins, I could not beleive that I was surrounded by Grunter everywhere.

On my first three casts I spooked the fish and watched them dissapearing into the distance.

Then I read the direction correctly and dropped my fly about 2 meters in front of a big guy, he immediately turned towards the fly and I started my retrieve. He followed for about 3 -4 meters and turned away.

Again and again this happened for about 4 hours. I changed flies and retrieved speeds and actions but nothing.
They would follow the fly and turn, some fish followed up to 2 meters from me.

I could clearly see that the interest was there, even though they were tailing at times.

I've heard the stories of this experience so many times.

Has anyone out there changed such a day into one that would stop a grown man cry like a baby?

Brian

Hi Brian,

I've had quite a few days like to one you described and also have figured it out. I give the grunter three chances to eat the fly, if this does
not happen, like usual, I show the fish the real McCoy on a drift line. This works everytime, revenge is sweet :biggrin:

Interesting is that Attie Gunter who farms on the Breede has caught some grunter last year on a really small (7cm) # 8 flipper in thin water.

Currently there are plenty grunter at Goukamma, maybe go and give it a shot there, also give Henkie Altena from www.flydotfish.com a call,he has quite a bit of experience on Goukamma and Sedgefield.

[briansflyfishing]

Thanks guys.
Tied up a Goby fly this morning and will give them another try today.
I've been fishing the salt for many years here in Knysna, but at Sedge was the first time I saw Grunter feeding and and was able to sight fish for them.
I am either a sucker for punishment or have to much faith, time will tell.
A bad day's fishing beats a good day's work, as they say.

[fdavis]

Grunter hunting can be described as character building...

[briansflyfishing]

Grunter hunting can be described as character building...

I agree, you have to make a choice of 1) Walking away shaking your head and wearing a smile or 2) breaking your rod in pieces out of frustration.

[petercoetzee]

I agree, you have to make a choice of 1) Walking away shaking your head and wearing a smile or 2) breaking your rod in pieces out of frustration.

3) keep working on it until you figure it out

[briansflyfishing]

Thanks Pieter
I am going to try again, changing leader length - Longer. Vary my stripping and in general just be a lot more patient.
Eventually one will be over cautious and I will be one happy FF.