nice seatrout

Trevor getting the job done in the Mosquito Lagoon. The trout ate top-water plugs and four inch Jerk Shadz on a recent trip with Capt. Mark Wright!

After such an unusual run of charters last week I was happy to get back into the normal routine of early morning fishing this week.

Spotted seatrout were the active fish species in both the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon, though we did manage a few redfish as well.

Tsunami K9 top-water plugs fished around/through finger mullet schools offered some exciting action for the early bird anglers until an actual chop developed on the water’s surface. Once the heavy ripple or light chop develops we switch to one of my favorites; the Z-Man Pop Shadz rigged on a 5/0 worm hook that I modify to stay put in the “elaztech” material.

Be ready for lots of missed attempts from both trout and redfish when using surface plugs. While I know it’s tough to NOT strike back at the explosion, the savvy angler who learns not to react too soon will catch more fish.

Chunk if you must! Yep, chunk mullet and ladyfish are still treating us well. Yep, you’ll have to weed through some catfish and a stingray every so often, but the redfish we caught this week were more interested in meat than in anything artificial.

In the shallows four inch Z-man Jerk Shadz, Curly Tailz and EZ Shrimpz rigged on Finesse Bullet Headz were the clear winners in the sub-surface category. I’m expecting the five inch lures to come into play very soon.

These same plastics rigged on 1/6th ounce Headlockz jigheads did a banner job when fishing drop-off areas like spoil islands. The schoolie trout are thick and active here and the bite was great until late morning; even in the bright light and heavy boating activity.