It’s looking more like a boat maintenance weekend instead of fishing, thanks to Tropical Storm Cristobal. Even though the track is expected to stay in the central Gulf, seas and rain bands aren’t going to make it too much fun along our stretch of the coast, most likely. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, use the time to prep tackle or do routine servicing on the boat, outboard and trailer.
This past week hasn’t been very conducive, weather-wise, either. Pop-up showers and thunderstorms have been rumbling through with regularity. Hopefully next week will usher in the return of more typical summer patterns.
The usual line-up of game fish are coming to the net for those who have made it out. Trout, flounder and reds top the inshore list. With the rising heat, early and later are the prime times for seatrout, an ambush predator. Look for them in the tidal creeks and back bays, plus the grass flats out to about five feet deep. Topwater plugs like the MirrOlure Top Dogs, Heddon Super Spooks/One Knockers and Rapala Skitter Walks are all producing big fish, albeit for short windows of moving water. Once the sun heats up, switch to something that sinks slowly in the water column. Sureketch touts, CAL shad tails and DOA shrimp worked with the lightest weight possible will trick specks. For a little more attraction, suspend the jigs under a clacker or popping cork. A live pinfish or finger mullet floating under a cork behind the boat will also trigger strikes.
Redfish are roaming the flooded shorelines around grassy points, oyster bars and deeper holes in the creeks. Rock grass and the adjacent rocks are also prime holding zones. The topwater bite for reds was hot last weekend. An Aqua Dream weedless 3/8-ounce spoon is another proven winner.
Tides will be strong this weekend based on Saturday’s full moon. Lows will bottom out in the early morning hours before cresting more than four feet by mid-afternoons. Keep an eye out for lighting and be sure and pack the rain gear if you go.
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.