What a pleasant surprise! Despite the recent heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Cristobal, the East Flats were still exceptionally clear mid-week. That’s good news for anglers and snorkelers who plan to hunt scallops when the season opens up next month.
Water temperatures haven’t cooled off, though, so going early is still the best opportunity to target trout. Quality fish, including some true bucket list sizes, are falling victim to top water plugs at daylight or shortly after. Rapala Skitter Walks, MirrOlure Top Dogs and Heddon Super Spooks top the list. Noise and action are more important than colors since the trout are reactionary hunters. But black/silver, gold and white/red head or pearl are never bad choices. If the floating grass is problematic, the DOA PT-7 weedless soft lure will snake through the thick stuff and cast like a bullet. Once the sun gets up, switch to mid-column options like shrimp lures or Sureketch touts or Z-Man shad on light jig heads.
Redfish catches have been steady lately. Flooded oyster bars, submerged grass and tidal creeks are holding the copper drum. The above lures will work on reds too, but I’ll almost always have an Aqua Dream spoon handy. If the water is stained, go with gold. For clear conditions, the watermelon or chartreuse patterns work well.
There are not too many cobia being caught lately. That’s likely due to rougher seas and rain. The brown bombers are still around and the likelihood of finding some is good all summer. Chumming around structure is a way to draw them in. Once close, a Gag’s Whip-it Eel or bright bucktail jig is usually too tempting. A frisky pilchard, finger mullet or hardhead catfish (remove the spines for safety) are seldom refused, either.
For big game, tarpon are around in increasing numbers. These silver herring require medium-heavy tackle with at least 30-pound test line and large capacity reels. Tarpon are often hooked unintentionally on trout tackle and it doesn’t last long. To target them, however, early morning patrols when the seas are calm will reveal rolling fish or big wakes as they swim just below the surface. DOA BaitBusters, Sebile Swimming Mullet and MirrOlure 65M plugs will all work on tarpon. If you do whip a fish, they must remain in the water. Boating a tarpon requires a $50 advance tag, but take a photo boat-side and let it go instead. These pre-historic giants are long-lived and replica mounts are excellent if you want a keepsake.
Red snapper season opens today, so there will be lots of congestion at the area ramps through the weekend at least. Plan accordingly and please practice common courtesy and safe distancing.
Winds will be moderate through the weekend, although the pattern of pop-up rain and thunderstorms is expected to last through Saturday. The quarter moon won’t produce very strong tides. The water exchange will only be about a foot. Highs will be mid-morning before falling off by mid-afternoon. Expect a period of high feeding activity for an hour either side of the crest, which is good timing with cooler morning temperatures. An average solunar window will occur the last hour of the falling afternoon tide.
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.