[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Sun is rising earlier and if you are sleeping in you are missing some great topwater speckled trout action this month! We are fishing deeper holes that are coming off the shallows. Cast your plug on the flats and work them over the edge of the drop offs with a fast steady “walk the dog” retrieve. The fish have been aggressive and we are fishing larger baits like the mirrOlure top dog and Rapala Skitterwalk.
When the day gets hot and the top bite dies off I like to go to soft plastics and work grass lines. Reds, trout, and flounder will search for bait in the grass on the rising and falling tides. I fish the saltwater assassin sea shads on a 1/8oz. pro elite jig head and match the color to the bait I see moving around. I like to work my baits as close to the grass as possible fluttering them up and then letting it fall. Don’t be afraid to cut your plastics shorter to closer match the size of the bait that is there.
Not to miss in June! The IFA Kayak Tour will be in Charleston, S.C. 6/9 and in Titusville, FL. 6/30. The IFA kayak tour is a catch, photo, and release tournament based on length of a 2 fish aggregate (Speckled trout and red). We keep a running tab on what’s happening in the kayak community on our Facebook page Kayak Fishing U.
With these longer days out in the sun take care of yourself. Wear protective clothing, a buff, and sunscreen when out fishing. I use Beyond Coastal sunscreen SPF 30 and put it on before I leave for the day and reapply with a face stick throughout. It makes a huge difference in how I feel at the end of a day and how long I can stay out and fish.
Remember while fishing from a kayak to always think safety. We are low to the water and not always easily seen. Keep a 360 degree light on at dark and low light conditions, wear a PFD, keep hydrated, and let someone know your float plan.
Benton Parrott
Hobie Regional Team / Fairhope Boat Co. Pro Staff Fishing Guide
dbparrott@bellsouth.net