The trout have moved just a little further up the major creeks on the Big Bend. It’s on par just like every other year that they will stage where the bait is and move in and out with warm or cold days. My best bait has been a MirrOlure LiL John in water melon red flake. The deep stretches in the creek mouth’s are the best places to work the jig slow and low. Around the edges of the creeks is redfish especially if it is hard bottom or a rocky point. The water is very clear so a well placed jig, live shrimp or crab pattern on an 8wt fly rod will get the bite. Not to excite the angling public but I have also caught a few big pompano in the deep parts of the creeks. I like to use a 1/8th jig head tipped with a live shrimp. The retrieve is the same as slow jigging for the trout. The bite is a tap, tap bam !
The near shore rocks have some grouper on them. Large jerk baits or shallow running plugs will get the bite. When I say shallow its 8′ to 10′ feet. Further out at 14′ to 20′ there may be more keeper fish but for the ultimate snatch the rod out of your hand experience casting the shallow rock is fun. The water has been clear so a slow approach is best. I like to anchor down about 80″ form the structure and fan cast the area because gags will lay away from the structure to feed. Incoming tide will be early morning this weekend.
- Nature Coast - March 23, 2024
- William Toney - February 29, 2024
- Nature Coast - February 14, 2024
