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If we are lucky, then
spring is finally here and the weather will finally start to
stabilize. Calmer winds, higher water levels and warmer
temperatures should result in increased fishing activity throughout
the area. It should also help the fish develop a fairly
reliable activity pattern. It may take a couple of weeks for
the patterns to develop, but once they do, it will be much easier to
find your quarry and have some decent fishing days. So, be
ready with the rods, reels, lines, flies/lures, and boats; that way
you can enjoy the fishing.
Captain John Tarr,
Tailhunter Guide Service, reported that the
redfish in New Smyrna and
Edgewater have started moving up to the shorelines. He stated
that they are tight against the mangroves and oysters. While
this requires precision casting, the fish are there to eat and
readily do so. In addition to redfish, Captain John said that
there are some really big sheepshead along the shorelines. For
either the redfish or sheepshead, he suggested using a crab fly (EP
Blue Crab, EP Crab in Olive or Tan, or a
Kwan). Jacks and
snook are hitting along the
channels, and are taking
Crease Popper or Bubble
Heads in the early morning.
Captain Scott
MacCalla, Backcast Charters, has been doing well in Mosquito
Lagoon. Captain MacCalla has had several days of good fishing
for large redfish, both on conventional gear and fly gear.
Captain MacCalla reported that the large redfish are over grass
beds, where they are feeding on pinfish and mullet; he recommends
the EP Baitfish Patterns (EP
Pinfish, EP Mullet)
for these fish. Captain MacCalla said that the slot-sized fish
are along the shorelines and that they will take a variety of
shrimp and crab style
flies.
Captain Nick Sassic, Fly
Envy Charters, gave a similar report for the redfish in
Mosquito Lagoon. He also added that his clients have been
having a lot of success finding and catching large
trout. Captain Nick
said the trout are in the grass, making them a little difficult to
see, but are hanging near sandholes. He suggested a baitfish
style fly stripped through the sandholes.
Captain Doug Blanton,
Indian River Adventures, has been having a lot of success on
trout, in the Indian and Banana Rivers. Captain Doug said that
Crease Poppers and Bubble Heads have been the best flies in the
early hours and that he switches to baitfish and
seaducer patterns in the
later day. Captain Doug also reported that the big redfish are
on the flats, but they are extremely spooky and quick to move -
stealth is a must.
Captain Kent Gibbens,
Back Country Charters, said that boat traffic has been heavy
in the Tomoka Basin area, making fishing a little hit or miss.
However, when it is on, they are taking mid-slot to upper-slot
redfish, nice trout, and snook. He suggested using a Craft
Fur Minnow, or similar pattern for the fly rod.
The offshore
report is picking up. According to the captains in New Smyrna,
there is still a group of cobia along the beach, but they are
working north rather quickly. If you venture a little further
offshore, they said the kingfish, dolphin, and Wahoo are doing well.
If your boat is big enough, then the sailfish are starting to hit
along the Gulfstream. Pick your day, as the conditions have
been changing rather quickly offshore.
South Florida and
the Florida Keys are still having some hot tarpon, permit and
bonefish action. The fish are ranging from Key West to
Biscayne Bay, giving you plenty of area to visit and fish. The
southwest coast has been seeing some great tarpon and snook
action, with things only expected to get better as the weather gets
warmer.
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