Water temperatures are well into the mid- to upper-70s, the bait is back thick and game fish are responding across the Forgotten Coast. Anglers should maintain social distance from others, but if you can get out the sunshine and fresh air will do some good plus there’s a strong likelihood of bringing home fresh protein, too.
Trout have moved on to the grass flats in force. Topwater plugs, shrimp lures and touts (fished solo or under corks), flukes rigged weedless or nose-hooked and live shrimp, pinfish and finger mullet are all equally good choices right now. The fish are aggressive, so speed up the retrieves. Color doesn’t matter quite so much right now, but with the water especially clear natural patterns are probably best. Adding a short section of fluorocarbon leader will also minimize detection. Be sure to double-check the new trout regulations so everyone on board is in compliance.
Redfish are active as well. Most are singles or pairs, although bigger groups are not uncommon. Aqua Dream or Capt. Mike’s weedless 3/8-ounce spoons in gold, chartreuse or silver/red are great search baits to locate fish. Once one is hooked, fan-cast the area as others are likely in the vicinity along flooded shorelines, grassy points and structure (rock piles, rock grass and oyster bars).
The pelagics are also back in good numbers. Spanish mackerel are great fun on light tackle, especially for junior anglers. Slow trolled Clark spoons or Christmas tree tube lures will get their attention. Jumping fish, nervous water or showering bait on the surface are a tip-off for silent drifts and casting using diamond jigs or Kastmaster spoons with a trace of light wire leader. Bluefish, ladyfish and jacks are likely in the mix. A few tripletail are showing up and the cobia and pompano should be here any day, if they aren’t already.
The upcoming weekend looks very fishable, weather-wise, although generous amounts of sunscreen will be necessary with the near-record heat forecast. Wind direction is expected to remain out of the South throughout at light to moderate levels. Low tides will be mid-mornings with highs coming back in by early evening. A decent amount of water movement should wet appetites in conjunction with the spring season. Solunar tables are predicting sandwich periods of an hour or so around the daytime lows and again on the high water.
Stay safe out there, keep your distance from others and DO NOT raft up in groups or you will jeopardize ramp access for everyone.
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.