This weeks results were what can be expected on a winter pattern. The water temperatures are still a little on the cool side. Would have waded a couple of areas, but I had a small lump cut off my leg. Boat bound, the first couple of hours produced nothing on the flats, too early in the day. Headed to a residential canal. The first section was not active. As I turned the corner and looked out at the Mangrove shoreline, I saw one of my favorite sights, diamonds on the water. This is a big school of fry. Nothing busting, but there may be fish underneath. After working into position, I made several casts with no hits. Worked down the shoreline trying to stay just far enough out to make casts at a 15 degree angle to the edge. This keeps the lure in the strike zone a lot longer than a straight in and out pattern. Just before the next turn there was a small school of fry. A cast to the outside produced a short slot Trout. A few casts later and the pull was heavy. After a couple of minutes in comes a nice 5.7 pound Trout. She was not very gracious on the release as she soaked me. Next fish was a 19 inch Trout again, released to play another day. Headed to another area this is about a 45 minute run as the whole area is an idle speed zone, one of the reasons that it does not get a lot of pressure.
In the mud, in search of Reds. The first section was clear, drew a small crowd of Back Drum out from under the Mangroves. No takers. Continued to work the area, spotted a tail off the far shore. This was one that most anyone could spot, tail up high and glistening in the light. Could not get to it quick enough. Watched several wakes in the cut. Started to cast the trough with a 3 inch Berkely Gulp Minnow. Hooked a 5 spot 16 inch Red. Continued to work back out to the river, Caught 2 more Rats. Motored over to another mud flat. Search for Reds was futile. On the way out, another small school of fry. A quick cast with the Gulp resulted in a 4.7 pound Trout. Enough fun for the day, head for home.
One note: if you see a school of mullet, work it. One school today had small Reds in The mix.
Report from Sebastian Inlet, Trout and Pompano were scarce. The action was with Sheepshead uo to 5 pounds.