A Good Time to Catch a Slam
Capt. Ron Presley
April 24, 2009
Cocoa Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
Spring has sprung, the mullet are running, and it's a good time to catch a slam of redfish, sea trout and snook. Wind has been more than a little problem lately with March trying to hang on into April. Even April is about over, but the wind has cooperated more lately. With light winds the bait and fish are easier to see on the flats. On my last trip out it was the birds that signaled the presence of bait - and as it turned out fish too.
I moved in toward a sometimes productive flat. The wind was calm and visibility was great. Mullet were plentiful and an occasional trout would scoot out in front of the boat as I used the trolling motor to approach the diving birds. Stealth is an important strategy on calm days in shallow water. When I got close enough to start casting I chose a RipTide Ultimate Minnow to start the days fishing. After about a dozen casts the first fish came to the boat, a nice 24 inch redfish.
Having no more hookups on that flat I moved to a channel entrance to a residential canal that is characterized by mangrove trees hanging over the water. I spotted trout, reds, and snook all congregated in the same generally area. They were up tight to the shoreline and back under the mangroves. I tried a variety of baits without success. Those fish just didn't want to hit anything. I called it a day and headed for the ramp, but I was reminded of the good possibility of catching a slam during this time of the year. In this case, a slam could have come from one short length of shoreline - if only the fish had cooperated. You can't always make em' bite, but you won't get any if you don't get out and try.
That's what it's all about. Good fishin'.
Capt. Ron Presley
Target Species:
Redfish
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