If April showers bring May flowers, then springtime’s warming temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico bring baitfish into shallow flats along Florida’s coastlines where hungry redfish, trout and other predators feed voraciously.
That means it’s a great time to get into those areas for potentially great action with artificial lures that mimic the baitfish. But figuring out what baitfish are in the areas and then matching them in size, color and location is critical.
Recent cold weather in Florida killed many snook, baitfish and other tropical species found in shallow areas, said Lucky Craft saltwater pro staffer Bryan Watts. Florida officials extended through September a closure on snook fishing to help the populations recover. Heartier redfish and speckled trout weren’t as affected by the freezing temperatures that hit in January.
But once water temperatures climb and weather patterns stabilize, anglers should find baitfish and predators cruising the flats and nearshore areas again.
“Typically in March and April March April they’re crab and shrimp eaters,” Watts said of the redfish and trout. “When you talk about redfish eating mullet on the West Coast, you’re talking about finger mullet. That’s what the mud minnow, or chub, imitates. We don’t have a really good bait push until late April into May.
“With the ISG Series here you have colors the fish are eating in March and April. It’s tough to get a crankbait bite going on the West Coast, but up around the Big Bend and west to Louisiana it’s ‘on’ pretty good by then.”
Lucky Craft Pointer 100 - ISG Pearl Mud Minnow
Topwater action isn’t as hot yet in spring, but opting for a Pointer 78 or 100 in Aurora Gold Mud Minnow, Pearl Mud Minnow and Green Tail Ghost Shrimp can be productive. American Shad is a good all-around color, as is the old standby of red/white in SD Killer Shrimp.
Watts often targets deeper water with the jerkbait, such as canals, potholes about 3-5 feet deep and areas with rocky or shell bottoms. Having a Sammy topwater tied on isn’t a bad idea, either, if several days of sunshine have warmed shallow flats and fish are acting aggressive.
Speckled trout will attack topwaters and jerkbaits as well, often with the former producing violent strikes. The “walk the dog” retrieve is employed with a steady rhythm and then stopped momentarily. Trout are notorious for following a bait but not committing until it sits motionless for a few seconds and then moves again. Let the ripples thin out, Watts suggests, and then make the bait flicker like its quivering.
“Some of biggest speckled trout I’ve caught have come on a walking-style bait,” he said. “If I’m going to target a big speckled trout, February through April are my months and usually in two feet of water or less. But when you’re looking for big ones like that, you’re dealing with a single trout or maybe doubles in one area.
Watts searches for small, deeper potholes in shallow areas to work a Sammy 85 or 100, nothing bigger, with a slow, rhythmic retrieve. Trout are suckers for vivid colors, such as Chartreuse Pink Sea Trout or SD Killer Shrimp.
“A lot of times you’ll see them wake on it but not eat it,” he said. “Typically with topwaters you don’t stop and either keep going or speed up, but with speckled trout you stop it. Let the ripples go away and then barely move it. You learn to look behind the bait to see if the fish is waking or coming up under it. That’s a key to fishing for trout.”
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