Even though spring hasn’t sprung yet, we should get into our summer patterns pretty quick and this is my favorite time of year on the water. The big trout, snook and reds should be roaming the flats in the entire region of the Indian River Lagoon from Longpoint Park all the way to the bomb range flats near the Beachline looking to feast on the spring mullet. While the grass is gone (I am seeing a few signs of grass starting to grow in the south and heard of a little growth to the north), look for the bait pods along the mangrove shorelines, around the docks and tight on the spoil islands. The Rapala Skitterwalk in Silver and the Rapala XRap pop are my two favorite baits to throw on the edges of the bait pods. The explosions on the topwater baits are almost better than landing the fish. You are going to have to put in a lot of time and make a bunch of casts with your Skitterwalk or XRap Pop to find the bait pods holding fish, but you are sure to be rewarded with some action.
The snook and tarpon will be active in Turkey Creek, Crane Creek and the Eau Gallie River right now as well as small Bull sharks. The best bite is on live finger mullet on a 3/0VMC Circle hook rigged with 3’ of 30lb leader. The mullet can be either free lined or fished under a natural cork. Best bite is early morning and at dusk. For the guys that like the artificial, go to your topwater baits like the Skitterwalk and XRap Pop or the new BX Minnow from Rapala.
The pompano, blues and big ladyfish are still hanging around down in Grant and Micco as well as north in Merritt Island in the Banana River. Use Doc’s Goofy jigs or a TriggerX Shrimp on a 1/4oz jighead for both fish. Most of the pompano are in the 2-4lb range and we have been getting blues near 10lbs. Big Jack crevalle are spawning on the beach and moving inside. Look for big schools of finicky jacks along the spoil islands. Use subsurface baits like the subwalk 7 from Rapala and work the bait through the schools very fast.
It’s the time of year that our temps are getting up near the 90s so get out on the water early or fish the evenings when the temps and sun start to go back down. Make sure you get on the water and don’t forget your favorite topwater and you should have some great action.
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