Fish are Springing into Action along the Nature Coast!!

Report Date: May 20, 2007

Redfish, Trout, Mackerel, TripleTail, and Black Drum have all been the targets for the last couple of weeks. These fish have all been caught on light tackle using a variety of different baits. On the artificial side, any Berkley Gulp! between 3-5 inches has been used to catch most of the Reds, Trout, and Mackerel. I used these shrimp, mullet, and pogy imitation baits a variety of different ways, including with a jighead and/or a Cajun Thunder popping cork. The variety for which these baits can be used and the species they can peruse is what makes these lures such valuable assets within all fishermen’s tackle boxes.

  On recent trips my clients and I have been stalking huge schools of Redfish in water just deep enough for the draft of my customized Carolina Skiff. Some forty and fifty fish schools have been spotted and thirty fish schools are common. I have been finding that the shallowest and most secluded bays and creeks have been housing a majority of these larger schools of fish. The key when fishing these huge schools of fish in such clear and shallow locations is to be extremely quite and stealthy. I tend to anchor up way up stream of these schools and allow them to work their way towards my location. Topbaits for these shallow fish include small blue crabs and cut mullet or mackerel. I chum with both of these baits and sometimes I think that this is key on many of my slower days.

  The benefits of chumming are immeasurable. When chumming an angler has a variety of opportunities to encounter a number of different species of fish. On a recent trip four clients and I spend the day chumming a nearby trough where I knew Redfish and Sheephead had been frequenting. I took a variety of old shrimp and crabs ground them up in a 5 gallon bucket. I would take this magical mixture and disperse this concoction one cup for every 5 minutes. To my amazement I was able to chum in over thirty redfish most within the slot size, but the real wild card was a Black drums pushing nearly eight pounds. On 4lb Spiderwire my client had all he could handle with this fish.

  As summer approaches the name of the game is play your tides and purse particular species accordingly. I have found some of the best Redfish, Trout, and Cobia fishing to occur during these upcoming months. I have spotted dozens of large cobia 50+ pounds frequenting many of the same areas where I have been trout fishing. On these same flats it’s not uncommon to spot large pods of Tarpon or even a stray Hammerhead Shark. The skies the limit on a fishing trip out of the nature coast during this time of year. If beautiful crystal clear flats and protected backcountry areas are your idea of an extreme fishing adventure, give Red Hot Fishing Charters a call today: (352)634-4002 or [email protected].

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