A s I write this forecast in mid-April the sun is shining fiercely, the air temp is 82 degrees at 5 PM and the wind is howling! It seems as we are two-thirds of the way to what our spring season weather pattern should be. While we do not yet know what May’s weather pattern will bring rest assured we will catch fish.
Please don’t let the wind keep you from fishing inshore unless it is blowing a gale or heavy storms prevent us from venturing safely about. The wind in and of itself is not necessarily a deal breaker for catching our predatory fish in the shallows!
We achieved great success on several charters in early April by anchoring the vessel in strategic locations and placing chunks of ladyfish and cut mullet in clean sand holes. Rat redfish, slot redfish, over-slot redfish and big spotted trout all fell victim to this ploy.
Great catches were also achieved on windy days when I had accomplished casters aboard. For you better than average casters that can negotiate the winds expect to catch lots of fish on Exude Darts and Banks Lures Flats Creepers as well as Exude Shrimp. As usual, I rig them with a keeper style, shank weighted hook and “skin” the hook point to keep it from catching every blade of grass the lure bumps into. Choose the lightest weight possible that allows a good cast into or across the wind!
Be prepared for the pinfish, puffers and other bait stealers to wreak havoc on your live shrimp if you are inclined to use them. While the live guys are still a favorite offering for sight-fishing or floating under a popping float for school trout they won’t last long setting on the bottom of an active flat.
Speaking of pinfish now is the time to use them live for big redfish. Small bits of shrimp on a bluegill hook with a small split-shot will catch you a dozen in short order. Of course, you can buy them at your local tackle store too and save a little time. These big fish are on the prowl and becoming very aggressive. Keep your eyes peeled for them on prominent edges and drop-off areas!