I tried targeting sea run cutts for the first time last night. I gotta admit, that kind of fishing could grow on me. Short drive after work, wading knee deep in crystal clear water on a flat in the sound, lots of waterfowl moving through, nobody else with a rod in sight.

I left my fly rod at home due to my relative lack of skill with it plus what seemed like a stiff wind early in the evening.

I picked up one nice cutthroat (maybe 12 or 13 inches) on a small Little Cleo (single hook) and had one another slash a couple times at a tiny stick bait and follow to my boots. I also saw a couple cutts rising, and something with a little heft to it jump.

In general, how aggressive are these fish? Can you hook up most often with a fly rod? I'd love to hear some tactics, both fly and spinning, that have worked well for others.