Lot’s to talk about right now. It is mid- August at the time of this writing and fishing in the North Indian River Lagoon is very good. Expect it to remain so through the remainder of the summer and throughout fall.
The early morning spotted seatrout bite has been outstanding with 50 live shrimp lasting only an hour or so. Along with the school trout we’re catching lots- o-ladyfish to be used later as cut bait for catching redfish in the shallows. Several other incidental species are also actively feeding on the live shrimp suspended under a popping float, so you never know what to expect as the bobber disappears!
Redfish are holding both very shallow and in slightly deeper water depending on the day. Keep in mind the skinny water reds tend to be extremely spooky. Keep your casts to the outer edges of the schools when they’re tailing or well in front of the schools when they’re traveling. We’ve been achieving good results when “soaking” cut bait in sand patches with a redfish are over 40 inches!
Early mornings when we decide to leave the school trout to themselves we’re using Z Man top-water lures in the pearl white color. I’m rigging the Shad Popz with a standard off-set shanked bass worm hook and no weight. These soft plastic top-waters are extremely weedless and effective. You can even fish them through the Widgeon Grass mats floating on the surface. Slot reds and quality spotted seatrout are our primary targets and the juvenile tarpon occasionally smack at them too.
Lastly, it’s time for the breeder redfish to do their thing. Please “tackle-up” a bit when targeting these creatures. Make sure to fully revive them after the catch and quick photo.
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