This is a weird time of year for inshore/flats fishing on the World Famous Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River. With the waters still very clear, and the weather finally becoming a little less windy, the fishing starts to really heat up. In most cases your redfish are still schooled up, but more importantly because the water is slightly warmer the fish tend to be eating more frequently. During the spring time there are many shrimp still running, so a nice hand picked shrimp from your favorite bait store is very nice. A large shrimp is as good as it gets, unless you are able to catch yourself a ladyfish. And as many redfisherman know, cut ladyfish is called "redfish crack", so if your able to get fresh ladyfish, almost all redfish will take your bait. This is also the time when downsizing your bait or lure isn't as important. With finger mullet becoming more available, top water baits work better in the early morning.

When I go fishing I like to get 3 rods ready for action. One for a live bait, one with topwater and one with a soft plastic. Being prepared for all possible scenerios is one thing that I see time and time again with average anglers. Most people will leave ramp, idle a little ways away from the ramp and then sit there and tie on their favorite bait. This is something that I do not practice as I like to have clean litters and things ready the night before I go fishing. This time of year I enjoy being on the water at first light, but still not at o-dark thirty because being safe on the water is just as important as having a good time.

During the spring, I again attempt to stay off my trolling motor, and pole the boat as much as possible. Just yesterday, 4/2/08, while I was poling my boat, I looked over to make sure things were good with my rod and soft plastic. I noticed my line was tangled on the tip of my rod. I quickly reached over and grabbed it, when out of the corner of my eye was tailing redfish within 15 feet of the boat. I untangled, and made my first cast of the day, which resulted in a 42" redfish that ate my molton berkley gulp. I don't think I would have been as close as I was to the tailers if I was using my trolling motor. Quiet, stealth is in YOUR favor.

Remember, take a kid fishing and enjoy the outdoors and respect others on the water. Tight lines,
Steve

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