Hello anglers! April is upon us already and I think most of us that like to wet a hook, have serious fishing fever by now! April is a pivotal month for our area as the water temperatures rise fast and our options multiply, especially inshore. As we plan our fishing trips this month, we can expect to welcome many species to our area that we haven’t seen in a while, so let’s talk fishing!
BAY: Bay fishing should provide many more options as Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, blue fish and many others migrate in. Keep those spoons and Gotcha plugs tied up. If you see birds bombing or a surface disturbance, it’s game on! Light spinning gear with 10- to 20-lb braid and a 30- to 40-lb leader will get it done.
It’s hard to find a better month for big spotted sea trout than April. I’m one of those guys that gets the “trout fever” because I spent many years with nothing but a small skiff running every inch of east bay. My go-to baits this month are top-water plugs of many sorts, finger mullet fished on slip sinker and free lined, and live shrimp or Berkley Gulps 2 feet under a popping cork. Work those flats in 1- to 4-foot depths and you will be rewarded.
OFFSHORE: This is a great month to look for cobia! I like to cruise 10- to 20-foot depths at about 5 knots, often dragging a Spanish rig, while looking for cobia. If you spot a big ray, or anything dark, check it out. Make sure you are rigged for the occasion. Heavier spinning gear with 50- to 80-lb braid, 80-lb fluorocarbon leader tied to a large jig, live minnow, eel, or eel imitation. Try to pick a calm clear day to go looking. The reefs just offshore should yield many trigger fish this month. I like to rig with strong #2 hooks on a double chicken rig. Squid or a multitude of cut baits will get it done. You’ll also land various species of snapper and many others with this technique.
SURF: Many options will be available this month, but pompano would be at the top of my list! Sand fleas, live shrimp or fish bites on the bottom, as well as pompano jigs fished in the surf will produce. The Spanish macks, lady fish and blue fish will be cruising the beaches as well, so toss some spoons or Gotcha Plugs to mix your bag.
Thanks for reading, folks, and fish on!
CAPT. JASON SHINGLER
Adrenaline On H20
Panama City, FL
(850) 348-2282