Nature Coast:William Toney

I hope this is our last cold front of the Spring, after a chilly start of the week, I believe we should be back on track for some good fishing. The trout I’m catching have been right where they have been the last few weeks. Focus on the bays and creek mouths on the edges of shallow water that drops off into deeper water. The D.O.A. 5.5 305 jerk bait is the best. Rig it with a 3/0 owner hook through the nose with a loop knot. 

 The water is very clear and presents the best chance at sight casting for redfish on low water. If you like to fly fish use a white crab/shrimp pattern early in the day to be able to track it in the low light but as the sun climbs go with a darker pattern. This time of year it is possible to find a few reds that will “tail”. With most of our bottom being rock or hard patches, the redfish tend to be laid up or slowly cruising the shorelines. If you do spot a tailing fish it will most always eat unless you line the fish or rock the vessel during your cast. I like to position my vessel in a good area like Pea Pass, North Channel and Long Point and move very slowly to try to let the redfish find you. Kinda like hunting don’t move to fast because they will present themselves to you and that better then you pushing the boat to fast and running them over. 

 The nearshore rocks are still producing a few sheepshead but be ready for a good push of spanish mackerel. This weekend will be a strong tide but late afternoon.