With Spring officially here, the favorite season is almost ready to pop. Water temperatures last week were almost 66 degrees but the cool spell the last few days dropped it down again slightly. Still, it’s rising closer to the magic mark of 70 and that’s when things really start.
Trout have been active in the bays and backcountry and are aggressively pouncing on topwater plugs, jigs and subsurface twitch baits. Colors haven’t really mattered much, although with the abundance of mullet in the shallows, patterns matching those are always good. The water has been somewhat murky due to recent rains also, so darker shades to match the conditions will work along with adding noise and/or scent. A clacker or popping cork with a DOA shrimp or soft-plastic jig suspended underneath will typically trigger an investigation.
Sheepshead are still around structure. The spawn hasn’t really kicked off, according to recent reports. Stripers are holding in the upper part of Blackwater Bay.
There’s no shortage of redfish. Getting these spooky targets to cooperate in skinny water is another story, however. Weedless spoons, soft-plastic jerk baits with just enough weight to cast and smaller crustacean pattern flies are effective offerings for reds. With a little more warmth to the water, a topwater plug like a Rapala Skitter Walk or Heddon Super Spook will get their attention.
Once the water tops 70 degrees, expect Spanish mackerel and cobia to start popping up in the nearshore waters. Some pompano are already moving through. Spanish are a blast for kids and adults when trolling Christmas tree rigs, McDonald’s straws or flashy spoons like Kastmaster or Deadly Dick. Epoxy minnows or Clouser flies are a deadly imitation of the glass minnows Spaniards love to gobble if the buggy whip is your preference.
Besides mullet, pilchards, mud minnows and pinfish are becoming more common. Shrimp should be filtering back inshore as well.
This weekend looks windy, but the tides will be strong next week coming off Monday’s full moon. So this would be a prime time to service the outboard and trailer. Clean and lube reels, check the guides on the rods and re-spool new line as needed. Once the spring season kicks into full gear, you’ll want to be ready.
Copyright 2024, Captain Dave Lear
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