My ugly hat and I are grateful to neighbor John for snapping a few pics of this thirty-five inch snook! The fish ate a Diezel Minnowz (five inch) rigged upside-down on a Snakelockz 4/0 hook.
The shallow water bite has improved significantly in recent weeks, at least in my section of the IRL. Not only are the snook and over-slot seatrout actively feeding in prime locations at first light the bite often continues well into late morning. I have no doubt there is another active bite during the heat of the day but I won’t be there to witness it.
Predawn activity for big lagoon tarpon is hit or miss, but keeping a rod rigged with a large plug at the ready is a great idea. Not typical for me, I like highly visible color schemes for this purpose and if water clarity is poor the bright and unnatural color pattern might get more use.
Once the sun rises enough to convince most of the snook to hide in the shadows it becomes necessary to get your lure close to the mangrove limbs and roots. I’m rigging many of my Z-Man Jerk Shadz and Diezel Minnowz “bottoms up” so the hook point rides in the belly pocket of the lure. It helps the lure to become more snag resistant and the fish don’t seem to care we’re offering them an upside-down profile!
Mullet activity seems to be the key element in locating quality fish. On recent trips we’ve been covered up in a mix of silver mullet from fingerling size to seven or eight inches long AND large black mullet schools tightly packed together like they’re ready to beginning their migration!
When this mixed gathering of mullet occurs near prominent deep water points you can expect to find jacks and tarpon on the prowl in open water and snook and gator trout in or near the trees. Make sure your rod/reel/line and hook/leader combos are up to the task!
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