Ahoy there, fellow anglers! Capt. Adam Morley here, reporting in from the waters around Flagler. Let me tell you, it’s been an exciting time out there.
First up, the buzz around town is all about those elusive Pompano cruising the surf. Reports are flooding in about their presence, and savvy anglers are reeling them in using a variety of baits and rigs. From sand fleas to shrimp, and even those trusty pompano jigs, it seems these beauties are quite the catch lately.
But that’s not all, folks! The recent uptick in temperatures has warmed up our inshore waters to a toasty 84° in some spots. And you know what that means – the early morning top water bite is on fire! Redfish and trout are putting on quite the show, exploding on top water baits like nobody’s business. And let’s not forget about those feisty Jacks joining in on the action.
Now, let’s talk lunar cycles. With the new moon on the horizon for May 7th, we’re in for some interesting fishing. Typically, new moons can stir up some heightened feeding activity among our aquatic friends. So, mark your calendars and get ready for some potentially stellar angling opportunities.
That’s it for now, folks! Keep those lines tight and those reels singing. Until next time, tight lines and calm seas!
Chris from Skinny Water Lures mentioned, as temperatures rise in the Palm Coast Intracoastal Waterway, we are finding success with topwater lures. This week we report that the water temperatures have surpassed 70 degrees, with hot days reaching into the mid-80s. This has led to a surge in the topwater bite, with good numbers of redfish and speckled trout being caught on topwater lures at first light.
Popular spots this week have been the flooded grass flats and pinch points, where we have experienced heart-pounding topwater blow-ups. The SWL one-knocker topwater lure, available in white, chartreuse, and orange, has been the preferred choice this week. For those looking to improve their topwater fishing techniques, experimentation is key. Trying different styles and retrieval methods, such as speeding up or slowing down the retrieval and incorporating pauses, can help increase bite rates. When targeting redfish with topwater lures, it’s important to maintain a steady retrieval, especially when a fish is following or attempting to strike.
Suddenly stopping the retrieval can cause the fish to lose interest. Anglers often make mistakes when using topwater lures, such as setting the hook too early out of excitement. It’s crucial to maintain a steady retrieval to allow the fish multiple opportunities to strike before setting the hook. Additionally, many anglers make only a few casts in an area before moving on. Remember, topwater lures serve as a way to attract fish to the area, so making multiple casts can increase your chances of success. The thrill of using topwater lures makes for an exciting fishing experience. By avoiding common mistakes and honing your technique, you can maximize your success with topwater fishing. So grab your favorite topwater lure and get ready to experience the excitement of topwater fishing in the Palm Coast ICW.
