I was really hoping with summer break starting and impressive reports to get myself on some grouper and mahi. Mother Nature disagreed, and plan B had its ups and downs.
The wind had me limited on where and how I could fish the lagoon, too. I found a few different mangrove shorelines that held black drum and snook. For the drum, it is best to sight fish them with dead shrimp. You can also drag a 3 inch gulp shrimp across the bottom. Snook are much smarter about eating and where to swim once hooked. I keep my trolling motor in the lowest speed as I skip the mangroves. Lower light also helps. In most cases, if you you can see the snook, they will be less eager to eat. Live mullet has a higher probability, but they will hit paddletails rigged on a weedless hook. Step up your tackle because of the heavy structure and their rough mouths. With the water so clear, I have been using 20lb braid and 30lb fluorocarbon.
Finally, I got super lucky on a flat two days in a row finding a school of big redfish tailing before they disappeared again. Far northern portions of the lagoon system are your best bet for finding the bull reds, but the water clarity is not so good unlike down south.
Check out these videos of some black drum and tarpon action from April on the two days I timed it right:
Great snook tips — thanks, Kurt!
Great report Kurt!
Can’t wait to get out on the ocean with you once that wind calms down.
Nice fish Kurt and great report!