I’ve been catching slot sized black drum and small to medium sheepshead and redfish in deeper holes and residential canals in the Indian and banana Rivers this week. I’m targeting mangrove roots and docks with a live bait rig consisting of a 2/0 Daiichi or VMC circle hook and a #3 or #5 split shot on 20 pound test Fluorocarbon leader. Live shrimp is by far the best bait to use for all three species, but the drum and sheepshead will also hit sand fleas and fiddler crabs.

As you know the winds have been up, so I haven’t fished much in the Mosquito Lagoon Flats or out on the flats in the Indian and Banana. I’m just concentrating these protected areas to stay out of the wind.