April Fishing Report 4/13/9
Letʼs just say the weather here on the space coast has varied from pleasant boat-free back-country tailing fish (more on that later) to ABSOLUTELY HORRID rainy and windy days. As I write this report the wind is howling at 30 mph and gusting to 50! With all of this crazy weather the water levels have fluctuated dramatically as well. Several charters have had to be re-scheduled this month due to this messy weather.
Mosquito Lagoon and the North Indian River continue to be the place to be for Redfish, Black Drum and Trout! Some of the “larger” winter schools have broken up making for lots of singles, cruising fish and tailers if you get out on the right day. We all know this is a toss of the dice when planning a trip in the month of April.
Last week on a charter with Mike from CT, we actually fished an entire bay by
OURSELVES for six(6) hours. Happy to have tailing fish all morning.
I later spoke to a friend of mine who said there were at least ten(10) boats
in an area known to produce black drum this year....Can you believe that?
All in an area the size of a football field!! Iʼm happy to say that MANY fish are
being caught WITHOUT other boats around!! Iʼve seen anglers casting over other's lines from 10 feet away and boats actually bumping into each other to achieve position on a TERRORIZED school of fish. I remain committed to avoid this!
The go-to bait this week has been a fresh live finger mullet or as always, a sight-casted riptide plastic, live shrimp, or fly. The reds have been working along the flats throughout the day and if you locate a fish without spooking them you can usually make them eat.
The weather has been marginal for the fly-fishermen, gold tinsel toads and small crab patterns have been the ticket. Also this month, I caught a very interesting fish in my neighborhood...(ON Fly!) I was testing some new clear fly line sent to me from MONIC, (these guys make great lines for spooky fish!) on a local pond and this was the result.
Why would this guy EAT a crab?
Happy anglers this week include Mike from CT with a truly great day of tailing reds, Dave and his wife Sheila from Orlando were treated to perfect weather and schools of Black Drum as well as a NICE 6 lb. trout on a finger mullet.. (All Released Fish!). Take a Kid Fishing! They are the Future.
