March 27th, 2010
The weather is finally coming around and the fishing has been excellent.
The water temperature has reached 68 degrees on the flats and the bait is starting to show up just inside the passes. All of this is pointing to a great opportunity for some outstanding fishing in the upcoming month of April.
The last week of March, I have been targeting redfish and trout. The reds are still schooling in the back bays around the same general locations. The large schools of reds are still very spooky and only feeding when the tide is rising.
Wendy and her dad, Denny, joined me for a shot at these redfish. It took great patience and total stealth to get these reds to feed on our shrimp. Most of the time we have picked off several of these fish before the bite shuts down. I tossed out several free lined live shrimp out in front of the moving schools. Denny struck gold, or should I say red, as he caughthis first redfish ever. The fish picked up the shrimp and took off. Shortly, he had his 26 inch redfish boated and held for pictures.
We had several more good shots at these fish before they decided to shut down and then we left. This has been typical of these redfish this year so far. The extended cooler waters and lingering cold weather has these fish on edge.
We headed north to St Joseph Sound were the trout action has been exceptional all winter. I anchored Salt Aire just off one of the six spoil islands that dot the bay. It wasn't long until the big gator trout found our baits. Wendy and Denny caught a dozen trout and only one was under 20 inches and the biggest was 22 inches.
The fishing is only going to get better as we head into April. Other species will start showing up as the bait returns. Kingfish, mackerel, ladyfish, and with fingers crossed, snook. Tarpon will start showing up later April as the gulf waters continue to warm.
So throw those jackets back in the closet and get out the shorts, it's fishing season.
Capt. Gary Burch
www.allcatchcharters.com/
captgary@allcatchcharters.com