[Paddlewise] fish tale

Went for a marsh paddle and fishing trip this evening on a barrier island here in Georgia, USA. It was a typical paddle until dark.

It was dead calm as I drifted slowly back while casting for redfish feeding along the edge of the creek.  There was a pretty bright moon tonight and it helped me see my way back through the winding marsh waterway to the boat ramp.  I felt an odd swell as all of the baitfish up and down the creek scattered at once. Then the bigger fish started to scatter as well. It calmed down for a minute until I heard an odd sound approaching. The swell that disturbed the narrow, shallow creek perhaps two feet deep had returned and multiplied. 

In the moonlight I could just make out a series of large lumps in the water racing towards me. After all the shark tales of late I was relieved to realize that the odd sound was dolphins exhaling. The creek erupted violently as half dozen dolphins streaked into the larger fish which had been feeding on thick schools of baitfish. Nothing was random about the attacks as the dolphins drove the fish onto the bank and snapped them up quickly and continued the hunt.  They worked their way farther down the creek away from me toward deeper water and disappeared. 

It was fascinating to watch and listen to them feed. It really would have been freaky if I hadn't figured out what animals were feeding near me.  Your mind can really wander at night while alone in the marsh. 


Jim et al
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