Even youngsters can catch quality fish when using one of the new “wake” style plugs that imitate a large mullet in the Banana River Lagoon this month.
S peckled trout will be prowling the flats during the early morning periods. Anglers getting on the water at first light will have the best chance to get one of the larger “gator” trout on a topwater plug. Walk the dog style plugs like the Rapala Skitterwalk are very good choices on most mornings. Some of the new “wake” baits that have come out into the market over the past few years can also be very productive on slot- sized and over slot-sized trout. One of my new personal favorites is the Rapala waking minnow. This type of lure has a very pronounced wobble to it so less experienced anglers can work it very easily even if they’ve really never fished before. These wake baits are deadly on those bigger fish when worked near a mullet school that are milling around on the flats at daybreak or dusk.
Saltwater Assassin 5-inch soft plastic jerk baits rigged on a weedless weighted worm hook are another great type of lure that can be used to excite big trout this month. The Gold pepper shiner and native shiner versions are two colors that every angler should have in their tackle box. Redfish, tarpon and even a shark or two can be found in the Lagoon this month. Live pinfish, pogies, and mullet rigged on a VMC circle hook similar to the ones mentioned in the paragraph above for tarpon are the best way to get hooked into one of these big fish. These live offerings should be “free-lined” or fished under a cork in the 4 to 8-foot depths where baitfish are present. Cut baits can also be effective at times on these three species, especially in the mid-day periods.
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