Finally, the wind temperature and tides are in harmony, and the bait fish are moving into the Harbor. Spring is here, and the many species of fish found in the harbor are beginning to actively feed.
Reports from anglers have said many species of bait fish are schooled up, and eager to be netted by our skilled anglers. With baitfish present, redfish, snook, jacks, Spanish mackerel, cobia and spotted seatrout are all feeding well.
Redfish and snook are biting all along the mangrove flats to the south of the marina. Sharks are feeding under the schools of bluefish, ladyfish and mackerel found in eight to fifteen feet of water. Look for birds diving on the schools of baitfish to signal the sharks are feeding as well. Scattered grass flats hold trout, jacks and redfish. Cast to the outside of the potholes formed by the remaining grass. These areas are usually great hideouts for ambush species. The water to the north of the marina, that has larger sand bars, is now holding good numbers of cobia. The very overfished artificial reefs may still have a few cobia hanging around.
If you are looking for some fun action, and are fishing from a trolling boat, set your speed at 900 to 1100 RPM, and fish with a colorful plastic bait, silver trolling spoon or a diving Rapala. Set your bait just past the 3rd or 4th wake caused by the boat. Use four to five feet of 35-to-40-pound leader attached to the trolled line holding the lure and you should have a lot of action.
Finally, if you are fishing from a community dock, use a popping cork with a 1/0 or 2/0 circle hook and a good size hand select shrimp. A popping cork or float that has 3 to 4 feet of leader material attached to the float end and the hook. Let the float sit still for a minute or two and if no fish takes a bite, jerk the float and wind on about 2 to 3 feet of line onto the reel. Repeat this action until you attract a fish bite.
Good luck and Tight Lines
Helpful Tip – Scattered grass flats hold trout, jacks and redfish. Cast to the outside of the potholes formed by the remaining grass. These areas are usually great hideouts for ambush species
