In the NIRL the cooler weather has been causing the slot sized redfish to group up in smaller groups of 10-20 fish. While sight casting has been the best method of targeting fish, blind casting to areas of reasearch have paid off on all trips. The best action has been throwing 4 inch soft plastics in watermellon color rigged weedless. The best search bait has been the trusty gold spoon when visability is poor, or in low light conditions. Early morning trips this past week have started out tailing fish in the grass forafing for crabs and shrimp. Most days have had long periods of cloud cover and thus the topwater bite has been good well into the day. Favorite lures have been the skitterwalk in almost any pattern and the High roller popper both are very user friendly lures. Groups of Gator trout have been laid up on sandy areas in protected coves and are eagerly eating smaller baitfish patterns. The most effective pattern has been an Olive and white CP's Ultimate Clouser tied on a #1 hook. Redfish have been very receptive to crab patterns in natural colors like tans browns and olives. The clear water has made for some fantastic fly fishing these past few weeks.

In the Mosquito Lagoon the water has been low with the winds and sight fishing is the best bet, however you can still catch a good number of fish if you are willing to work a bit. The Riptide shrimp in Hot Watermellon has been the best producer, fished slowly over scattered patches of bottom. With the low water conditions the fish are scattered a bit but are still concentrated in their usual haunts for this time of the year. The trout bite has been great with fish to 8lbs also comming from this estuary, staging for the next full moon. Slot sized trout are eagerly taking 4" baits as the quarry of oversized bait is heavy and a tasty morsel won't be refused. Solid streams of larger mullet are continuing to be present and typically have a few slot sized redfish nearby. Bunny type flies in rust and olive are accounting for most of the fish taken on fly.

The SIRL still has a good population of mullet and the bite is as hot as it can be for this time of the year. The Snook bite has been great for the past month as well as some very good trout to boot. Hoards of finger mullet are packed in coves and are being ambushed at early morning, low light periods. The DOA bait buster is a great lure to attract a strike from these fish. Most of the fish are between 25-34" and are a blast on light tackle. Along with the snook are Juvinel tarpon that are mixed in on the feeding frienzy in most of the residential canals and deeper cuts. Heavily weighted flies like the CP's Ultimate Clouser on a #2 hook are the best bet to get the fly down where the fish are holding. .

As the water continues to fall and cool we will be blessed again with the ability to target fish in a confined area. Pay closer attention to the water temps and target your species accordingly. The winter run of flounder is beginning and don't let the weather keep you from getting out there, thge smaller gulf flounder are running strong and there are quite a few southern flounder mixed in to 10 lbs. Live mullet and Mud minnows are accounting for most of the catches but jigs tipped with mullet strips are getting just as many if not more. Remember to downsize your baits and use a slower retieve to improve your chances at drawing a strike as with colder water temps the fish will get slower to respond to the lures, and won't move as far to get a meal.