Hot, cold, hot, cold. Those words describe the weather and fishing lately along the Forgotten Coast. After another expected front with rain on Friday, the pattern will shift again with sunny skies and cooler temperatures over the weekend.
Between pressure systems, the fish have been chewing fairly steadily. The lower stretches of the coastal rivers and tidal creeks are the most consistent zones, especially on the first of the incoming tides. Slow suspending and twitch plugs like the Catch 2000, Redfins, Unfair Rip-n-Slash and Paul Brown mullet top the list. Even though the water clarity is excellent right now, gold and natural patterns have triggered the most strikes. Live and fake shrimp, allowed to drift freely with the current plain or under a popping cork, is another good option. Trout have dominated the catch, with enough redfish mixed in to make it interesting. Live shrimp will also fool sheepshead. With water temps now down again into the upper 50s or low 60s, the fights have been spirited.
With the moon phase in between (waxing crescent) there won’t be much water exchange and the tide times aren’t the most accommodating, either. High tides will occur right before dawn and again at dusk, yet with winds predicted to be quartering northwest, the exact crest may be delayed. Low tides will bottom out around lunch time with only a foot of water difference.
Students of the solunar table will note that peak feeding times should coincide as the sun is coming up. Another window will open at the lunch hour in conjunction with the low. Take a rod and some baits along, but this is shaping up to be a good weekend to get out and do some scouting for warmer days ahead.
If any service is needed on the boat, outboard or trailer, now is a good time to get that done, too. The service department isn’t as busy right now, but they’ll be slammed at the first hint of spring when the backlog will definitely increase.
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.