Spring is here on the Space Coast, and with any hope these late winter fronts we have been experiencing in Mach will have stopped. The good news for Brevard’s Kayak anglers is that the bait is thick in most parts of the lagoons! With finger mullet present in numbers that can only be explained by the warm winter we all enjoyed. Along with the seasonal onslaught of mud minnows, glass minnows, pin fish, and menhaden invading the shallow flats. Look for redfish and sea-trout to be extremely aggressive as they continue to gorge on this finned buffet. The redfish will be willing to chase baits and crash through schools of mullet as their diet preference shifts from shrimp/crabs to protein rich fin fish. I believe the reds do this simply because it’s the easiest game in town. Sea-trout on the other hand will be slamming the same baits; though their motives are a bit different. As we turn the corner into spring on the space coast they will have love on their minds. And they need to pack on the pounds for the spawning activity over the coming months.
I have many loyal clients that book months in advance just for the chance to bare witness to a wide open sea-trout bite. Large topwater lures will elicit explosive strikes from heavy trout that can push double digits. As for me, this is by far the most exciting type of fishing our lagoons can produce. With an up-slung mouth, upward looking eyes, and some serious camouflage seatrout are an ambush predator. Lying in wait on a grass flat; glaring at the surface. As an unsuspecting school of mullet swims across their view they will lunge. Typically they will shower the bait and sometimes you can even hear the “pop” sound they produce when feeding. These signs; along with large schools of mullet and adjacent deeper water will signal a productive trout flat. The most productive grounds are best fished in low light periods and many times the afternoon bite will rival our even best the early morning. Topwater plugs like the Skitter Walk, Zara Spook, and Top Dog series will all be found in my tackle box. Best colors on those plugs are Sea-trout, Redhead/White Body, Bone, and Clown/Chartreuse. If you notice all of these lures are walk-the-dog type and should be worked in a slow zigzag pattern. That’s not to say that the in-line or propeller topwater lures won’t work, but they certainly will not produce like the others. As the sun climbs these trout will still be looking to feed.
When the top bite slows I will immediately switch to a Slayer Inc. SST or SSB in molting or pepper death. Though they have lightened the laws for taking trout; I tend to be a bit more conservative. All Sea-trout over 25in. are female and thus the breeding stock! A good photo with the fish well supported and a healthy release if the fish is over 21 inches, but under and in the limits; it’s the frying pan for ya! Just in time for the best part of the trout bite we will be hosting a sea-trout tourney from KARS Park fishing the No-Motor-Zone. Hit Facebook/Local Lines Guide Service and give us a like! Info on the tourney should be flowing through there and the Space Coast Kayak Anglers page on Facebook. Or just give KARS a call and ask about the May 18 sea-trout tourney.