Early mornings continue to produce the best action on and around the flats for snook, trout, and reds. However, we have not been able to get out during the late evenings recently, due to all the thunderstorm activity, so the evening bite could be very good, we just would not know it! From 5 am on to 11 am has been a pretty productive period. However, with the full moon coming on the early morning bite probably will suffer because fish will be feeding on and off throughout the night. So, over the next week, get out at midnight and fish through first light. Doing so will provide some awesome top-water action on large snook and trout and allow you fish around all the thunderstorms and other anglers.
The areas we have been fishing include shallow grass flats, small flats around spoil islands and the drop-off areas associated with these very shallow areas. All the recent rain has not muddied things up too bad, but looking for the cleanest water and an abundance of baitfish is always a good idea. Fish the shallowest areas before light and then concentrate on the deeper 3-5 ft. deep areas as the sun rises overhead.
The most productive lures have by far been the Yo-Zuri 3D Fingerlings in the white and prismatic green color patterns. Next have been the new Jerk-Os. Rip-Tide Brand Flats Chubs have been the hit with the reds lately. All these lures are sub-surface and that is where the action has been. Top-water plugs like the Banana Boat and Hydro Popper have been somewhat effective prior to sun up, but the top-water bite still is not what it can be. We will just have to keep plugging along and see what happens.
Until next time, Tight-Lines to all.
Sincerely,
Capt. Ron Bielefeld