Greetings from Tru Luvin fishing and Hagan Coastal Outfitters. This blog will give you a regular front row seat to what we are seeing on the water from our kayaks as we chase inshore fishing species in Northeast Florida, primarily using artificial lures. We will include occasional bonus reports from fishing trips around the state. We want to keep you informed of what is biting, what lures are working for us and what gear has been helping us get on the fish.
Overall Fishing Report
Fishing has been really good in April as the weather has stabilized following a roller coaster ride of cold fronts in March. That roller coaster led to hot and cold fishing during March that has given way to a more consistent Spring pattern that you can count on. Multiple trips in different creek systems in both Duval and St. John’s counties produced consistently strong results in both low tide and high tide conditions. Slot sized and just under slot Redfish have been willing participants in all the fishing trips this month. Trout have also been around in good numbers with some nice sized upper slot Trout mixed in. The Trout have been traveling in small schools with similar sized fish. If you find one, keep fishing the area as there are likely more nearby. Flounder have also made their presence felt, although in smaller numbers than the Reds and Trout. This has rounded out some nice days on the water with a Northeast Florida slam consisting of a Redfish, Trout and Flounder all in the same trip.
Tactics That Are Working
Inshore water temperatures have risen consistently into the 70’s which has turned on the top water bite. There is nothing more exciting than a top water strike from a big Redfish. I have caught upper slot Reds on two of my last three trips on top water lures. Low tide is when I really like to employ this tactic for Reds and I use it for Trout on higher tide cycles as well. The top water bite will only improve as temperatures continue to heat up. The topwater lure that has produced the best for me this month is the Heddon Chug’n Spook in White with a red head. This lure gives you versatility of using it as a walk the dog style top water as well as a chugger if the fish want it slow.
The other tactic that has served me well this month is the Ned Rig. The Googan Squad Rattlin’ Ned along with ZMan Finesse TRD and ZMan Trout Tricks trimmed down to about 3.5 inches have been consistent fish catchers of all 3 species. The fish are just now fully coming out of that Winter pattern and have been responding well to this cooler weather tactic. What I really like about this tactic is that it leaves your lure in the strike zone where the fish are for an extended period of time. This tactic is more about subtle movement in place than it is about the retrieve, and it drives the fish crazy.
Lessons Learned
Getting out early has been an important lesson. My trips this month have all been at different tide cycles, but at or before sunrise. My best fish on each trip was either the first or second fish that I caught early. This was especially true of the upper slot top water Reds I noted earlier. The early bite has been the strongest in our back waters during April.
Contributors: Ron Lendvay and Domenic Paniccia, Team Tru Luvin fishing/HCO