WOW!!! Hopefully the up and down weather of the winter is finally over. This has definitely been one of the coolest winters in recent memories, but interestingly enough the fishing must have not known that we were being battered with near freezing temps on a regular basis. Some of the biggest schools and largest fish I have seen in recent years were caught during the last few weeks off of the crystal clear flats of the Crystal River. Huge schools of Reds ranging from 10-50 fish have been cruising their normal spring grounds in search of the plentiful amounts of mullet, pinfish, shrimp, and crabs which help to keep our fish so healthy. Most of these fish have been well over the 27" slot and during a 4 day stretch of charters my clients were spoiled with catches of over 20-30 reds with only 6 keepers over the 4 day stretch. Needless to say this has been a great problem to have!!!
Because of the size of the fish I have been carry tons of extra large shrimp, mullet, ladyfish, and blue crabs just to have an assortment to throw to these slob reds. Not to mention you find too many Black Drum that will pass up a Blue Crab or a Trout that will pass up a piece of cut mullet. My clients and I have also been throwing tons of lures for these reds and have been extremely successful throwing a Berkley Gulp Shrimp rig to most tailing reds.
As good as the Redfishing has been in recent weeks the Speckled Trout and Spanish Mackerel fishing has been equally awesome and consistent. My client Todd Dobrinsky and I fished the 12th annual Trout Masters Tournament out of the "World Famous" Pete's Pier Marina on Saturday 7th and he and I were spoiled with some of the most beautiful weather 2009 had to offer. Clear water and slick calm seas made sight casting ideal for the Speckled trout we were seeking. Early Saturday morning I was poling Todd around a point when a nice 24" Gator Trout exploded Berkley Gulp Jerkbait. Once this fish was landed we knew we were well on our way to a great day. 2 hours later we came upon the "Mother Load" of Trout in a shallow back creek that I had been saving for this tournament. In 1-2 ft of water huge schools of 50-70 trout were staging on the edge of a 9 ft hole. As the tide was coming in these trout would start moving across a flat and eating anything that crossed their paths. After catching over 20+ between 16-22" we knew we had a great day. Long story short we weighted in a 10 fish limit that weighted over 25lbs. Nice day and a Nice Pay Day!!
Folks most of the best fishing is occurring in less than 2 feet of water or less but if you want to get in on some heart pounding, drag screaming action the Spanish Mackerel fishing has just started to heat up. 50-70 fish in a few hours is not uncommon and catching them on fly can be just as fast and furious. Not to mention while we are chumming for these fish there are plenty of Speckled Trout, Silver Trout, Cobia, Sharks, and Tripletail swimming by as well. This style of fishing is great for the kids and last all the way into May making for consistent action day in and day out.
So if long drag screaming runs and unforgettable fights is what you crave give Red Hot Fishing Charters a call today we are in the Fishing Memories Business.
Capt. Kyle Messier
(352) 634-4002
kylemessier@yahoo.com
WWW.REDHOTFISHINGCHARTERS.COM
