Shoffer, Watson and I began our evening noticing those big bayfront surface lights were lit up on a Monday night. We could see fish splashes, so I pedaled hard to the lights and began fan-casting my beloved glow Vudu Shad.
After 10 casts with no strikes I noticed the big tiny-shad bait-balls circling through the baywater. In past night trips I had caught Trout & Redfish amidst those bait-balls, but not last night. They were too lazy and happy.
I pedaled on to the far western canals and saw a couple of kayakers fishing the lights. The guy standing & casting on his Old Town yak was Yak Boi! We met, and he introduced me to his newbie yak-buddy Cody who was sitting in the motorized Old Town owned by Yak Boi's father.
It was an historic meeting of the Hobie and Old Town Navies. The three of us fished that first canal, then I led them on to the far canal where I've caught most my Sea Isle fish. Guess what we saw in almost every light? Those big lazy shad bait-balls.
In my experience if those shad balls aren't blowing up, then those lights hold no gamefish. I saw just a handful of finger mullet in the lights, proving to me that they are better gamefish indicators.
After 3 hours of casting the canals we headed back out in the bay to meet up w/ Shoffer and Watson. Then made our way back to the launch about 3:30am.
Yak Boi (Kyle), Cody and I got skunked. I hold Kyle partially responsible because we have a lot in common and talked too much, ha ha. Cody enjoyed himself and learned a lot despite his lack of catches.
Of course somebody brought home gamefish; this night it was Watson. At the ramp he fileted 3 specks and a slot Redfish. Shoffer landed three 15" specks but in the post-freeze environment released them all. The best lures last night were small baits like Watson's small shad tandems. Wish I'd brought some.
I hate to get skunked, but got to meet two young yakkers who love kayak-fishing and will be joining us on future trips. Kyle lives on the island and is constantly monitoring the fishing there.
But beware of those damn lazy bait-balls.
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Great report and sorry about the skunk Captain Dandy! It sounds like you still had fun even though the fish didn't like what you were throwing at them. It happens. I have seen those lazy balls way too many times and not hung into anything as well. I feel for you buddy! Next time and maybe my shoulder will be healed in a couple of months I'll try to join you on the skunking so you don't feel so bad. 
a couple of years ago was under a full moon. 
but you know how it is, dang lawyers with their confidentiality 
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