Hello, I’m Captain Steven Soults and this is the local Inshore Flats and Backcountry fishing report for Florida ’s Nature Coast . Well we’ve made it through another mild winter (hopefully its just about over), spring time conditions are finally here bringing rising water temperatures and longer daylight hours, it shouldn’t be long before the Gulf of Mexico reaches that perfect water temperature – 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  During the month of April, the waters of the Nature Coast literally come alive with a variety of game fish species. It shouldn’t be too hard to find hungry fish on the move. Once again its that time of the year to head out to the garage and grab that top water box and head out to the shallow water flats & Backwaters for a chance at some nice 20 plus inch keeper size Spotted Sea Trout.  I have two or three top waters that I found to be very productive, such as the new MirrOmullet Surface Walker by Mirrolure, or a SKITTER WALK by Rapala (Silver Mullet), but my favorite being the BANNA BOAT by YO-ZURI. Any of these lures I mentioned could be picked up by someone for the first time and become a master at walking the dog within minutes. On recent charters we have found good numbers of keeper size fish by WALKING THE DOG early in the morning on the shallow grass flats (3 to 4 feet) off Pasco County . When the sun gets to high (around 10.00a.m) for Top-waters its time to switch to a simple Bass Assassin Titanium shaft Clicker Bobber with a soft plastic jig attached with just enough line on it to keep it out of the grass and jig away. This easily learned technique has produced many keeper Trout and is a great way to introduce young anglers into fishing, without them losing interest. Spotted Sea Trout Fishing is about as good as it gets this month. The key has been drift fishing until keeper size fish are found. On recent charters we also have had a great deal of success using a 5” shad soft plastic jerk bait from BASS ASSASSIN lure company as well in the new BLURP Series (Drunk Monkey) has been the color of choice, coupled to a ¼ oz red jig head from Bass Assassin. Two key things to remember while Trout fishing are the bag limit is 5 fish per person per day in the North Region, and that Trout are a relatively fragile fish. You must handle and release them with care if we want to ensure the future survival of these species. A de-hooker from XTOOLS does a great job of de-hooking undersized fish without having to touch the fish and remove its protective slime coating. If Spanish Mackerel aren’t on your summer time list they should be!! On recent charters we have had non-stop action all day fishing the deeper grass flats off Hernando County (approximately 8-10 feet) using the 5- inch (Black w/ Red spots) soft plastic jerk bait from SALTWATER ASSASSIN. The trick to landing these toothy speedsters has been to use a short piece of wire leader (approximately 6 inches of SURFLON Nylon Coated stainless steel in the (20lb) class with Size 3 leader sleeves) crimped to a ¼ or 3/8 oz. jig head depending on the depth of water. (Don’t forget that chum bag to draw the mackerel to your boat.) Remember Tarpon Fishing for June and July is just around the corner and there is only a few days left available, so don’t wait to the last minute to book a trip to experience a chance at catching a beautiful record Tarpon on a Spinning or Fly Rod on the beautiful crystal clear Flats of Hommosassa!!

     If you have any questions or would like to book a trip to experience some of the BEST Light Tackle Inshore and Backwater fishing that Hernando, Pasco and Citrus County has to offer please call Angling Adventures Charter Fishing Guide Service with Captain Steven Soults at (352) 686-0853 or you can try the cell at (352) 238-9339
Till next month!!! Fish on and tight lines!!!

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