[dropcap]A[/dropcap]pril is one of the best months to fish the NW Florida Gulf Coast and panhandle. Speckled trout, redfish, flounder, Spanish mackerel, and even nice pompano start to show up. You can expect to see some really nice catches coming in this month. Speckled sea trout will start to make their way on the flats of St Joe Bay. You will find them on the edges of and in deep holes. Using a sinking lure or a popping cork with a soft plastic will surely produce some nice catches. Redfish can also be picked up around these drop offs. My favorite bait for them is DOA lures worked slowly near the bottom.
The same techniques and baits also work in Apalachicola Bay and around St. Vincent Island. Tripletail, Speckled trout, Red drum, and flounder will all be hungry and will start to show up to eat. Tripletail will be found free floating early and move under structure later in the month. Slow worked DOA baits will work for these superb tasting fish. Trout and redfish will continue to be running the oyster bars around Indian Pass and St. Vincent and soft plastics is your ticket. Spring is here, so get out, enjoy our paradise, and let’s catch some fish! Good luck.