[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s spring rolls in, so does the fun. Calmer waters, sunny skies and big dolphin, wahoo, and tuna migrate back up the edge of the Gulf Stream. Cobia, tarpon, and permit start showing around the nearshore wrecks, reefs, and beaches. And long range and Bahamas trips offer great action on yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and marlin, only being surpassed by even better action bottom fishing for grouper and snapper. Whatever it is you’re looking for, April can provide it.
A good pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses is a must with the intense Florida sun this time of year. Being able to see the fish on the teaser, and before they bite will increase your hook up ratio dramatically, not to mention protecting one of your most valuable assets as a fisherman, your eyes.
Expect the trolling to get better with more common catches of mahi, wahoo and blackfin tuna around the hill. Keep an eye out for weed lines and color changes in depths from 100 to 400 feet of water (polarized glasses will make color changes easier to see and appear more defined too). Chugging around a little faster, 5-to-7 knots seems to work well for the dolphin this time of year. Try using ballyhoo rigged on J hooks naked or with your favorite color skirts. Chugger heads and bubblers work well, especially for the larger dolphin. We’re still pulling a dredge teaser this time of year but we’ve replaced the other side with a squid chain. At the end of my squid chain I like a Scylla lure rigged with a ballyhoo without a hook in it, this is strictly a teaser and work well for big dolphin and blue marlin.
Expect good bottom fishing locally for snapper, porgies, seabass and triggerfish along all the reefs. While doing this there’s is always a good possibility of encountering cobia, amberjack’s and the out of season (till May) grouper. Live bait, cut bait, and especially squid all work great when targeting these reef dwelling inhabitants, be sure you’re not under tackled because the first thing they try to do is make a run for the bottom. A stout 30-80 rod built by Blackfin, with a 30 Fin Nor Marquesa spooled with 65-pound Power Pro should do the trick. Heavy drag settings and 80- to 125-pound leader with a 3x strong hook should keep the majority of them from getting back to the rocks. If conditions allow, it’s always a good idea to drift a flatline back as well. Live bait would be ideal, but dead bait and even artificial’s work well too. An extremely easy, low maintenance, productive artificial in this scenario is a RonZ jig, 50 feet below the boat just left in a rod holder until it bends over.
Whatever it is you decide to target this April, I hope your trip is ‘Off The Chain’ and I’m looking forward to fishing with you soon. Don’t forget to “Like” our Facebook page to keep up-to-date with daily catch reports and specials.
