The past few weeks have our wonderful redfish in their winter patterns. Large Schools of redfish are ALL over the lagoon system this month. How spectacular it is to pole quietly onto a flat that has literally hundreds of happy redfish awaiting the stealthy angler. The north Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon are both producing excellent catches.
The bait of choice this week has been the ever faithful shrimp tactically placed in sand holes and around grassy edges at depths of 1-3 feet where the reds have been holding. Gulp Alive and similar plastics in a shrimp pattern are also working. Try using a neutral color in extra clear waters such as natural. A slow presentation works well this time of the year. You may also try scaling down on your leader to say 12 or 15 lb flourocarbon.
For the fly-fisherman, delicate presentations of crab and small shrimp patterns with flouro tippets are the ticket. You may also want to try the EP baitfish patterns and larger clousers in chartreuse color for cruising packs of reds.
Our weather patterns have been up and down with all of these quickly moving fronts. The trick is to pick you day wisely. Pre-front fish can really put on the feed-bag sometimes as they are worried about getting their next meal.
The water levels continue to remain very low, so if you’re out there fishing, boating or just enjoying a day on the lagoon, use caution while navigating this month or you may found yourself STUCK. I have seen several boats running aground the past few weeks, making for what I’m sure are some pricey repairs!
Here are a few pictures of some happy anglers this week including Jim & Colin Harper from Ontario with Colin’s first ever redfish! Have a great day and as always, take a day to go fishing and enjoy it out there.
Chuck Atwell with a great February Redfish.
