BACKCOUNTRY / BAY / INSHORE:
With milder air temperatures having set in, and water temperatures rising, it’s time to be on the water. Speckled trout and redfish are back on the flats in the grass and mud, feeding. A moving tide is best because it’s not quite hot enough yet to turn them off during the heat of the day; that means more fishing time. Soft plastic jigs and top water lures are working great for covering larger areas but live bait fished without a weight will do just fine. The bigger redfish are being caught under the bridges and in the pass. Most live baits will do fine but they love a small live blue crab. If you don’t have a boat, find a place to do a little wade fishing.
The sheepshead have started showing up on the shallow structures in the bay and around the jetties at the state park. A light weight bottom rig will do perfect and there will be plenty of mangrove snapper mixed in as well. There are still a few bluefish hanging around in the bay and will hit just about anything you throw at them so your favorite spoon will do well. The cobia will start showing up any time and people are already out cruising the beaches looking for them. There are plenty of rumors out about “the one that wouldn’t bite” or “my neighbor’s cousin caught one yesterday,” but the real proof will be in the pictures so let’s see them!
OFFSHORE:
Gag grouper and red snapper are closed but trigger fish is open and there are plenty of them to be caught and they are big! Cut bait fished near the bottom will catch plenty, but don’t be surprised if your bait doesn’t make it to the bottom; there are plenty of them up near the surface along with amberjack which unfortunately, are also closed. Red grouper can be caught along with scamp and mangrove snapper so there is plenty of table fare. There are plenty of other species that are in season so be sure to check the current regulations before you keep anything.
It’s that time of year again so get out on the water before the crowds invade!
CAPT. DARYL SHUMATE
Liquid Native Charters
850-624-6968
Liquidnativecharters.com