By Craig Korczynski, Contributing Writer
Spring has arrived! The inshore fishing throughout the ICW will become very exciting as we receive our spring mullet run along beaches and inshore waters. Fishing tactics and strategies become very important as water temps rise and fish begin to migrate towards inlets and local spillways.
The snook fishing is fantastic this time of year, targeting docks, sea walls and mangrove shorelines. Sunrise provides great action with top water heedon spook plugs. Once the sun rises overhead, switch to a DOA C.A.L. 3 inch shad in glow / gold rush belly or DOA 5 inch swim bait in Arkansas glow. The sea walls and grass flats are great areas to find snook laid up ambushing bait schools. Be sure to stay quiet and look for bait schools or snook crashing baits as signs of life.
The tarpon continue to roam our local waters; sunrise and sunset are the best times to target the tarpon. DOA bait busters in mullet pattern and DOA C.A.L. 4 inch jerk baits in green back and glow holographic get the silver kings excited. Live baiting for tarpon will get you hooked up; slow troll baits along mangrove shorelines and drop offs for consistent action. When searching for tarpon, look for rolling fish and target deeper holes and channels for best results. The tarpon this time of year range in size from 5 to 80 pounds.
Anglers looking for steady rod bending action should target the jacks along seawalls and grass flats. The jacks school together ambushing schools of live bait in their vicinity. Heddon spooks, DOA 5 inch swim bait , DOA C.A.L. 4 inch paddle tail in pearl and glow and gold rush belly work great for the jacks. If artificial lures are not your choice, live mullet, greenies and sand perch will also produce action. Free line them with tide or near any structure.
Night fishing is a great option for anglers in search of snook and tarpon. Many anglers prefer live baits and swimming plugs fishing the docks, but fish become very keen to the same baits and patterns anglers use targeting the snook and tarpon. Fly fishing is one of the best ways to have double digit numbers of hook ups with these fish. DOA C.A.L. 2 inch shrimp in glow fantastic on fly rod. Small deceivers and clousers also get anglers hooked up. Quiet presentation is the key to consistent and productive fishing.
Captain Craig Korczynski
561-644-4371 • www.phlatsinshorefishing.com