Inshore Adventures

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August 2008
It's hot out there so beat the heat! Get out at first light for the best inshore bite this month. Top-water "walk the dog" style plugs as well as "chuggers" will make for some exciting catches. Target concentrations of finger mullet and shrimp. They can be easily located by looking for nervous water (small disruptions on the surface, similar to a very small boat wake). Redfish, trout, and flounder will be found hanging around the schools of bait looking for an easy meal. If fishing the lower tide stage look for small shrimp to be scurrying away from redfish cruising along the banks of the creeks. Once the sun is overhead switch to a soft plastic mullet imitation. A Fishbites Extreme jerkbait in watermelon red flake is my summer favorite. Last month saw chilly water temps along our beaches making for a slow start to the tarpon season. If the water warms back up look for the silver kings to be feeding early in the AM on the bait pods just off the beach. There should also be plenty of smaller tarpon inshore in the canals and deeper creeks. A back hooked free-lined finger mullet makes a great tarpon snack.

July 2008
With air temps in the mid to upper 90's this month it’s a good idea to get on the water as early as possible. Toss your favorite top-water plug or chugger at first light for exciting blowups. If you're not an “early bird” check out the dusk bite with the same lures. During the day redfish and trout will move to deeper water. Try fishing creek holes, docks, and the drop-offs on the ICW with a Fishbite's Xtreme shrimp on a 1/4-3/8 ounce jighead. A live shrimp or mud minnow bumped along the bottom will also be deadly. Last month the flounder bite was above average... continue to look for the larger "flatties" at the area inlets on slack tides. Small to medium sized finger mullet on a fish finder rig can be deadly... just remember to let the flounder chew on the bait a few moments before setting the hook. My absolute favorite fish, the tarpon, should be thick along the beach gorging themselves on the bait (pogy) pods. The best bite will be early morning and just before or after the summer rainstorms. Don’t forget to rig a rod with a plug for the giant jacks and spanish macs that will be on the pods as well.

June 2008
Hey, its summer time…. get to the beach! This month pogy pods should start to show just off the beach with predatory fish in hot pursuit. Sharks, cobia, bull reds, spanish and king macs, giant jacks, bluefish, and towards the end of the month the silver kings will all be crashing the pogy pods in an exciting free-for-all that has to be seen to be believed. A favorite way to fish the pods is to rig a live pogy on a medium to large circle hook. Use about 5 feet of 60-80lb. florocarbon leader then add a splitshot or two a few feet above the hook. This will keep your pogy slightly under the pod and make for an easy lunch for lurking predators.
Inshore, some of the best redfish and trout catches will come at daybreak and at sunset. A top-water plug will be the lure of choice at these times when worked around mullet schools. During the day, again locate the mullet schools then jig a Fishbites Xtreme paddle tail or a small MirroLure around them for trout, jacks, and ladyfish that will be hiding underneath. With the water turning towards that summer "yoohoo" color this month, a gold spoon or spinner bait tossed along grass edges and oyster bars during the higher tide stages might have just enough vibration to call out those hard to find fish.

May 2008 Forecast
With water temps warming up this month look for the top-water bite to be on fire. Tossing a plug like a High Roller at first and last light will produce great top-water strikes. Jacks will be crushing baitfish at the inlets, seawalls, and shell banks along the ICW. Ladyfish as well as bluefish and trout can be caught in the same areas as long as the current is moving. Using a plug or a free-lined finger mullet are both very effective ways to target these fish.
Speaking of fast-hitting fish, look for spanish mackerel to be chasing bait pods in and just outside all area inlets. A Gotcha type plug or a spoon is your best bet at taming these toothy critters.
For redfish and flounder go to a bigger soft plastic like a 5” Fishbites Xtreme jerk bait, as they will be gorging themselves on mullet. On the lower tide stages the mullet and other baitfish will move to the ICW banks with redfish in hot pursuit. If they can't be found along the flats and banks of the ICW a good bet is to fish deep drop-offs and structure with a plastic or live shrimp on a heavy jighead. Last, but definitely not least, tarpon season is just around the corner… let the madness begin!

April 2008 Forecast
The name of the game this month is going to be finger mullet. Focus on finding mullet schools and fishing them hard. Trout, flounder, and redfish will be lurking under the bait pods. When not using the real thing try a suspending or top-water plug that closely resembles a finger mullet. Top-water action should be red hot early in the day if the weather and the water keep steadily warming up.

Trout catches will continue to be strong this month and redfish should start feeding better earlier in the day. Use soft plastic baits like the Fishbites Xrteme Scent Release Jerkbaits to locate these fish. Bump around oyster bars and dropoffs on mid tide then move to the grass line as the tide comes up. Finger mullet or cut mullet will be the go to bait when the reds and trout are tough to get on artificials.

This month usually marks the time when some monster black drum start showing up at the inlets and deep holes in the ICW. A halved blue crab on a fish finder rig is the best way to target these monsters. Remember to take some time reviving them so they can be caught again another day!

March 2008 Fishing Forecast
Finger mullet should stat to show in greater numbers this month in the creeks and flats adjacent to the ICW. With water temps on the rise and an abundance of baitfish around top-water baits could be the go to bait this month, especially for gator trout. Top-waters will account for a good number of the oversized trout catches in our area. When worked slowly around and through the schools of bait don’t be surprised to see your plug thrown in the air in a super-charged explosion of water from a big mamma trout.
Redfish will continue to look for the warmer water flats and oyster bars at higher tide stages and then retreat to creek holes when the water is low. A live shrimp, mud minnow, or finger mullet soaked on the bottom of a creek hole at low tide is a sure way to put a bend in your rod. For those that like to toss artificials cast a soft plastic jerk-bait or shrimp rigged weedless around oyster bars and grasslines to locate some reds. After what seemed like a very slow flounder season the flatties should start to show this month and can be found using the same techniques mentioned above… just slow it down a bit.

February 2008 Fishing Forecast... A sunny afternoon low tide will make anglers happy this month. Redfish love to prowl the banks of creeks when the tide is low and the sun is shining. With the water clarity being so clear this month a very stealthy approach will work better as the reds will tend to be spooky. Drifting or “poling” your boat to within casting distance of the weary fish will get you more hookups. If the water isn’t clear enough to see them you can still locate the fish by looking for large wakes and/or small fleeing baitfish and small shrimp. Also don’t overlook the ICW banks, especially when we have a negative low tide. Some of my best winter days have come after finding large schools of reds right on the banks of the “ditch”. Throwing smaller soft plastic jerkbaits and shrimp like the Fishbites line of Extreme baits will make for a sure hookup on the schooling fish.
The sheepshead and black drum bite will stay consistent this month. Look for both of these striped fish to be hanging around area bridges and pilings. Fiddler crabs when you can find them will be the go to bait for the sheepies and fresh dead shrimp will get you a drum or two. If throwing the fly rod is your forte sheepshead can also be targeted on the flats while hanging around oyster bars. A small crab or shrimp fly will work best and catching one on the long rod is quite the accomplishment. Live shrimp under popping corks, suspending twitch baits, and curly tail grubs will be a sure bet for trout in the creeks this month as long as the tide is moving. Just remember to practice catch and release as trout season is closed this month.

December-January With water temperatures on the fall look for sight-fishing opportunities to rise. Fish will be in the now clear waters of our flats and creeks looking to warm up on sunny winter days. Look for darker mud and oyster-laden bottom to hold redfish, trout, and flounder. These areas will warm up faster than others on sunny days. A few degrees can really make a difference. Take the time to scout out these “hot spots” on a low tide.
Look for redfish to start schooling on the flats. Locate these fish by looking for “muds” (discolored muddy water). After locating a school always try to cast to lead fish, he’s usually the biggest. Smaller reds as well as trout and flounder will also school up in area creek holes. A live shrimp or mud minnow can’t be beat.
During colder months try to downsize your baits. A plastic shrimp or small curly tail minnow paired with a jighead is your best bet for artificial. White and chartreuse are favorite winter colors.
Sheepshead fishing will only be getting better. Target area bridges, docks, and pilings with fiddler crabs to catch the tasty porgies.
Have a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year!

November For most November means turkey and stuffing but for us fishermen it’s officially “doormat” month. Traditionally November is a great time to target, and catch big flounder. A live finger mullet or a big mud minnow rigged on a jighead or fish-finder rig is your best bet. Flounder will be holding in deep cuts in the creeks at lower tide stages. It’s not uncommon to find them “stacked up” in these holes so if you get one make sure to try a few more casts in the same spot. At higher tides fish on top of oyster bars and along the grass lines. Another popular spot to target the flat fish is at the inlets. They will hold close to the jetties… you’ll know you’re fishing the right spot after you’ve lost a rig or three to the rocks.
Trout catches should also increase this month. Top-waters, sub surface plugs and just about any soft plastic will fool the specs. Your best bet when targeting trout is to look for moving water at creek mouths, around oyster bars, and along the ICW banks. Find a good concentration of finger mullet, there should be a ton around, and it’s a sure bet there will be a redfish or two lurking underneath.

October Trick or treat? That’s a good question. With all the bait around, a live lined mullet or even just a mullet head will be a great “treat” for numerous species this month. On many of my recent charters the redfish seemed to prefer a mullet head as opposed to a live one. If you’d rather “trick” your fish into biting, toss a plug or jerkbait around schools of bait. Early or late, a top-water plug or popper made by High Roller will do the trick. Later in the day a Gulp jerkbait will fool the reds and trout shadowing the bait schools.
Flounder catches as well as the size of the flatties will increase. A mud minnow or finger mullet on a jighead bumped slowly across the bottom should bring in the “doormats”. At low tide they will be stacked in deeper holes, and on higher tides work oyster bar edges, grass lines, and drop offs.
Beach fishermen have been catching a good amount of whiting and pompano. Look for the pompano bite to only get better this month. A live sand flea or a small jig tipped with shrimp or a Fish Bite will do the “trick”.

August/September 2007 The end of summer offers some of the most exciting fishing opportunities around. By now, the beach should be full of pogys with tarpon, kings, sharks, and just about everything that swims hiding underneath the pods looking for an easy meal. The shrimp boats will be out there as well. If you can time it right, when they throw back their by-catch it can be an all out feeding frenzy, making the above-mentioned predators easy targets.
The inlets will be full of fish as well. Flounder will stack up along the rocks at the St. Augustine inlet. Use a heavy jighead or fishfinder rig and bump a good-sized mullet to locate these fish. Traditionally in September the bull reds will show in the inlets (they're there now too, just not as thick). Use a large live mullet or even better, half a blue crab on a circle hook with enough weight to hold the bottom. Be sure to take the time to revive these monsters. Look for better numbers of mullet to return to the flats and creeks. The redfish, trout, and flounder will be where the bait is. Top-water baits early and late otherwise a soft plastic jerk-bait or gold spoon will be the ticket.

July 2007 The heat is on! With air temps getting up in the 90's this month it’s a good idea to get on the water as early as possible. Toss your favorite top-water plug or chugger at first light for exciting blowups. If you're not an “early bird” check out the dusk bite with the same lures. During the day redfish and trout will move to deeper water. Try fishing creek holes, docks, and the drop-offs on the ICW when the sun is high. A live shrimp or mud minnow bumped along the bottom can't be beat! Flounder catches will continue to be consistent.
Look for the larger flounder at the area inlets. Small to medium sized finger mullet on a fish finder rig can be deadly... just remember to let the flounder chew on the bait a few moments before setting the hook. The pogy pods should really start to show on the beach this month. If its anything like last year the tarpon will be thick gorging themselves on the bait pods. The best bite will be early morning and just before or after the summer rainstorms. Don’t forget to rig a rod with a diving plug for the giant jacks and spanish macs that will be on the pods as well.

June 2007 Hey, its summer time…. get to the beach! This month pogy pods will start to show in good numbers just off the beach with predatory fish in hot pursuit. Sharks, cobia, bull reds, spanish macs, giant jacks, bluefish, and of course the silver king will be crashing the pogy pods in an exciting free-for-all that has to be seen to be believed. A favorite way to fish the pods is to rig a live pogy on a medium to large circle hook using 60-80lb. leader material. Then add a splitshot or two a few feet above the hook. This will keep your pogy slightly under the pod and make for an easy lunch for lurking predators.
Inshore, the best redfish and trout catches will come at daybreak and at sunset. Top-water baits will continue to work well at these times when worked around mullet schools. Throw a small jig or Mirro-dine lure for the jacks and ladyfish that will be shadowing the mullet as well. With the water turning that summer "yoohoo" color this month, a gold spoon or spinner bait tossed along grass edges and oyster bars might have just enough vibration to call out those hard to find fish.

May 2007 It’s time to "walk the dog"... no, not the barking type, but your favorite top-water plug! With water temps warming up this month look for the top-water bite to be on fire. Tossing a plug like a High Roller at first and last light will produce great top-water strikes. Jacks will be crushing baitfish at the inlets, seawalls, and shell banks along the ICW. Ladyfish as well as bluefish and trout can be caught in the same areas as long as the current is moving. Using a plug or a free-lined finger mullet are both very effective ways to target these fish.
Speaking of fast-hitting fish, look for spanish mackerel to be chasing bait pods in and just outside all area inlets. A Gotcha type plug or a spoon is your best bet at taming these toothy critters.
For redfish and flounder go to a bigger soft plastic like a 5” jerk bait, as they will be gorging themselves on mullet. During the heat of the day the reds will be moving to cooler water in the ICW. Fish deep drop-offs and structure with a plastic or live shrimp on a heavy jighead. Last, but definitely not least, tarpon season is just around the corner… let the madness begin!

April 2007 The mullet are coming… the mullet are coming! Look for the mullet to start showing up in good numbers this month. All of our predatory fish will be fired up chasing these schools of bait along the Intracoastal Waterway. Find the finger-sized mullet schools and fish them hard! A top-water or suspending plug fished around the mullet can't be beat! Large black drum are showing up at the local inlets. Fish up to 70 lbs are caught every year. Bait of choice for these monsters is chunked blue crab on a circle hook with enough weight to hold the bottom.
Please use heavier tackle when targeting these fish as to not wear them out and ensure a healthy release.
With the weather warming up look for the action on the flats to heat up as well. Redfish will become less spooky and more hungry. Trout along with redfish, flounder and a few jacks will be looking for a mullet lunch on the flats. Fish around or on top of the oyster bars depending on the tide level. A soft plastic jerkbait rigged weedless on a Daiichi "butt-dragger" hook will be the bait of choice. Get out on the water now… the spring bite can’t be beat!

March 2007 School is in session! Redfish schools that is. If you catch one fish its likely there will be many more in the same area. Look for the flats that have a dark mud or oyster-ridden bottom. On cooler days the fish will stack up in those areas, especially later in the day when the sun has had a chance to warm them up. An afternoon incoming tide that pushes over a sun warmed oyster bar… fish heaven! The flattie bite is steady with some five plus-pound fish being caught in the skinny water flats and along the edges of the ICW. An ultra slow worked mud minnow or soft plastic on the bottom will do the trick. Don’t forget to let the fish chew on the bait for a few seconds to ensure a good hook-set. With spring soon approaching look for the baitfish to return and the gamefish to get fired up. Just about all species of fish will be feeding as the tide moves baitfish up and down the ICW. Monster trout will be stalking the creek mouths on the falling tide, waiting to attack. I’m sure you can find a plug with their name on it!