Life in the fast lane is the way I think of fishing in April. Both for the fish and the fisherman. Just about every fish in our seas wakes up after some dormant time in the cooler waters of winter and the old saying of “little fish eats big fish” is definitely in play. If you are a small fish you better be moving fast because predator gamefish are just about everywhere.
One of the earliest fish to arrive are Spanish Mackeral. They pull drag just about as fast as anything that swims and are an absolute ball on light tackle. I have discovered that fishing large silver spoons in the 3” to 5” size will catch more fish and prevent bite offs with the larger size without steel leader. Reel the spoons as fast as you can with an occasional pumping action and hang on! Don’t be surprised if a cobia or jack crash your oversize spoon!
After a late start in March, April will be a smoking snook month. With the white bait hardly showing themselves in March, the fish will be extra hungry and catching bait should get much easier. Same deal for redfish as the influx of sardines and threadfins fills the harbor, redfish will wander in from the gulf to feed. Just remember that redfish really would rather eat a pinfish over white bait and pinfish have already made a strong appearance in the grass beds.
Speckled Trout fishing has been and will continue to be stellar! Big females roll in from the gulf and invade our shallows. There are plenty of small trout around but the big ones usually occupy different areas then their smaller relatives so try different spots. Catching trout in the 4-5 pound class is a realistic goal and sometimes they will be mixed in with snook when fishing over sand holes.
Tarpon and sharks will round out the later part of this month and can be found lurking around bait pods in open water. If you can cast net large threadfins or use a sabiki rig, then you will have the right bait. Often easier said then done but worth the effort. Free drifting big threadies or under a float can produce a fish of a lifetime. My biggest tarpon have come in April and often when no one else is around fishing for them. This is a game of patience and devotion. You will need to cover lots of water and patiently watch for them. Some days that means hours of searching and on some days you may not find them. It is much easier to go fishing for a grand slam of snook, redfish and trout but one 150 pound tarpon will make your day and just maybe your year!
If I had to pick the best inshore fishing month it would be April. Fast fishing will be found on the incoming tides with the highest waters. Instead of fishing where you see other boats set up, chose more remote locations that are less disturbed and you might just have the best fishing trip of your life!
Capt. Chuck Eichner operates Action Flats Backcountry Charters and can be reached at 941-628-8040
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