The shallow flats have come to life over the last few weeks. Snook, redfish, seatrout and even cobia have been present on the flats. Earlier in the month, clear water and no wind made conditions on the flats challenging. Long casts, far away from the boat, were necessary to fool these wary fish. Recent stronger winds helped to create surface rippling which allowed us to get much closer to the fish and it put the fish in a more aggressive mood. Very large snook are showing up in cuts with a lot of current around the flats. There are still bluefish around near passes and areas close to the ICW. Large schools of baitfish are present around passes and the areas of the ICW most near Gulf access. In the last week, aftenoon rising tides pushed snook and reds into the mangroves where thick schools of glass minnows could be found in the shadow line.
Working Mirrolure Mirrodine erratically over deep grass was a productive way to locate seatrout. Paddletails on 1/8 ounce jigs worked well to pick apart sandy potholes in shallow water for snook and reds. The ADL series Aquadream spoon rewarded anglers using this great lure. Cobia, reds of all sizes, and snook were taken on the green ADL series Aquadream spoon. Dropping the spoon on sand worked well on retrieves where fish were following the spoon, but not committing. This technique drove the fish mad, causing them to charge and eat the spoon as it laid motionless on the sand.
Fly anglers did well on seatrout with chartreuse over white clousers on sinking tip lines over deep grass. Recent weaker tides meant that anglers had to work a little harder for their snook at night on dock lights. Small shrimp patterns, glass minnow patterns, EP baitfish flies, and larger profile flies were all in play at night. Swinging flies down current with intermittent short strips brought the best results. Around mangroves on rising tides, small gurglers and glass minnow patterns were the ticket for snook. Enjoy the pictures below.
See you on the water soon!
Capt. Brian Boehm
941-400-6218
Quiet Waters Fishing
Guide at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters
