It’s your weekend fishing report and I’m at Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort, Terra Ceia Bay, USA. It’s snook season, mangrove snapper are being caught, and the sheepshead are on their way out…so there are many opportunities to get plenty of big fish. And look at this weather. Holy Moly! Easy east winds in the morning with some wind gusts picking up in the afternoon, but all around a wonderful time to get out there and try to catch them.
April is an excellent time to fish inshore on the Gulf Coast of Florida. With a variety of species to target, anglers can use a range of techniques and baits to increase their chances of success. Remember to always follow local fishing regulations and practice responsible catch-and-release methods to preserve the fish populations for future generations.
A few of our favorite species, and ones we often see circling the dock, include:
Speckled Trout
Speckled trout are a popular species to target inshore in Florida. They are commonly found in shallow waters around grass flats and oyster bars. In April, speckled trout will move toward deeper waters as the temperature rises. Anglers can use a variety of lures and bait to target speckled trout, including live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures.
Redfish
Redfish are another popular inshore species in Florida. They are often found around mangroves and oyster bars and can be caught using a variety of bait and lures, including live bait, cut bait, and artificial lures. In April, redfish will begin to move toward the flats to spawn, making them a prime target for anglers.
Snook
Snook are a highly sought-after species in Florida, known for their powerful fighting ability. They are commonly found around mangroves and can be caught using a variety of lures and baits, including live bait, soft plastics, and topwater lures. In April, snook will begin to move towards the beaches and inlets to spawn, making them a prime target for anglers.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are a lesser-known inshore species in Florida but are still a great catch for anglers. They are commonly found around structures such as docks, bridges, and jetties and can be caught using a variety of baits, including live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and barnacles. In April, sheepshead will begin to move toward deeper waters, so anglers may need to adjust their techniques to target them successfully.
Flounder
Flounder are a flatfish species that can be found inshore in Florida. They are commonly found around sand flats and oyster bars and can be caught using a variety of bait, including live bait, cut bait, and artificial lures. In April, flounder will begin to move toward deeper waters as the temperature rises, so anglers may need to adjust their techniques to target them successfully.
You can see the water clarity has gone down, so you can bump up those leaders and see if you can catch one. Join our Saturday morning fishing clinics to learn more tips and tricks or subscribe to receive notifications. I’m Captain Erik, and we’ll see you next week at the Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort weekend fishing report.
