Spring is here! With days full of sun and temperatures holding in the 70’s, our fishery is quickly evolving with signs of new life. Trout and flounder have entered the mix and anglers now have several species to target instead of simply redfish. Our waters are filing with bait and the fish are ready to go!
When targeting redfish, a great tactic is to throw chunks of fresh blue crab. Blue crab is redfish candy and bait that is rarely turned down. Remove the top of the shell, the pinchers and the legs and cut the remainder down the middle. I use size 3/0 circle hooks and place the hook through the bottom flipper hole. This rig will work under docks, on the flats and anywhere redfish are holding. Put the rod in the rod holder and don’t touch it until the reel is zinging!
The trout bite should begin in earnest this April. With water temperatures rapidly rising, the trout will become aggressive feeders before too long. The preferred rig of live bait under a popping cork is a go to option. Live shrimp is now available and will give you another option than mud minnows. It’s a good idea to start carrying your cast net and see if you can find some finger mullet which are a great choice as well.
Often considered our best tasting fish, flounder are frequently targeted. We’ve been catching them when fishing with mud minnows on the bottom or mud minnows under popping corks. You’ll need to focus on structures when searching for flounder. Old pilings and docks are great places to prospect. Remember that flounder will sit on the bottom in hopes of ambushing their prey, so you’ll need to keep that bait down in the water column.
See you on the water!
