Fishing for most part has been good despite wind and brackish conditions. Best seatrout action has been around the sounds. Often ladyfish and seatrout are found together. Ladyfish are strong pulling that usually jump when hooked. Seatrout on the other hand usually stay down. These fish will take a variety of bait. Mud minnows should not be over looked. Small mullet are a good bait, larger finger mullet is a better bait. Often the biggest fish are caught on fish. Seatrout and ladyfish prefer current often close to grass lines or shell rakes. When hooking a ladyfish the only way to consistently land these fish is to be faster than the fish. Ladyfish often take amazingly fast runs with wild jumps. A great fish on light tackle! Only down side to this fish is the mess it can make your clothing and boat. After playing the fish try giving the fish slack to intentional let the fish escape and you might yourself save some cleaning. This crazy fish is sometimes called the poor man’s tarpon. Ladyfish are currently wide spread throughout the sounds.

Large schools menhaden are nearing beaches. About 20 tarpon were reported this week in Warsaw at the sea buoy. Lots of sharks reported and few tarpon. Tarpon bite should be heating up as large menhaden push in.

The flounder bite has been good! The best action has in creeks close to the sounds. These fish will take cut bait as well live. When possible fish big bait for all inshore fishing. There’s a point when a bait can be too large but for the most part fish the largest bait possible. For most fishing fish fresh baits.

When wind subsides fishing should be good. Look for clean water with good drift and you’ll likely catch fish.

Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan