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    March 30, 2023 at 7:58 pm

    

    Capt. Tony Bozzella PRO

    • Inshore Fishing Guide
    • (904) 651-0182

    

    April has given up more gator trout than any other month of the year! Early morning or later in the day, when low light is present, can be a good time to hunt them. Usually, an incoming tide with clean cool water is a plus. Around the full & new moon when the water moves the the strongest and also moves bait, can also be beneficial. Another major factor to remember, is the mullet, pogies and baitfish are usually returning back to North Florida. This is a great time to fish for them. Lures that imitate, mullet and pogies generally produce the best. I find many of the bigger gator trout like to eat big bait Fish. One time we caught a very large gator, trout, and he had a 10 inch mullet hanging out of his mouth with the lure!!!

    Good lures include any lure that you can throw a good distance and be in tune with the lure to know what it’s doing at all times so you could be affective. One of the biggest secrets I have to catching large gator trout is having a rod and reel that can throw 40 to 45 yards. Many times that far away from your target in species, they don’t know you’re there and they act more like fish instead of them not eating. Also, remember to throw past your target, so the lure has enough time to reach the proper depth as the manufacturer recommended it to move. And in other words, if I have some structure, and I think there is a Trout behind it, I will approach the target on my trolling motor, make the longest cast I can staying away from the targeted species, however, I want to be able to throw past the target 10 feet so as I start working the lure, it can dive down to the desired depth and come through the targeted zone. If you throw your lure and it lands on the target, you take a chance of spooking your species and as you work the lure, it is already leaving the targeted zone!

    I like to work top waters and lipped diving plugs for my trout. A lure that imitates baitfish. There are many methods. However, these are the ones I use, and I’ve had the best success. I also find the tides that I mentioned in the areas that I want to fish and I like to target structure. May be a patch of grass on a flat, or maybe a Point with shells getting divided by the tide or a pile of rocks, etc. A good rule of thumb is stem the tide just far enough to make the cast I talked about. I will throw my lures up current,as fish feed into the Current, and I want them to see the Lure coming. These rules apply whether you’re jigging, using a float rig, or any other style of angling. Also, as the bait fish enter north Florida, this probably will be the last month for good back country red fishing as schools break up with warmer water and more available food. And along with all the bait fish, there should be plenty of Spanish mackerel, Jack Crevalle, and ladyfish returning for the summer. Clark, spoons rigged with a small trolling or trout weight in front of it to keep it down as you troll around the chips of the jetty should produce plenty of Spanish for you. 00 Clark spoons are my favorite size. You can rig them with heavy Fluorocarbon. However, you probably will have some break offs. I’ll do mine with Fluorocarbon, however, I will put an Albright special of wire in front of the spoon. About 2 or 3 inches. This will help with cut offs. Get out & enjoy what Jacks has to offer, and go fishing!!!

    If you like catching fish and want to learn how to fish North Florida's backcountry and flats from the best, give Capt. Tony Bozzella a call today, you won’t regret it! Call to book a trip, or visit Inshore Fishing Guide on the web.

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