Keep it Moving

By: Joe Sheaffer

Joe, what presentation do you prefer when you are fishing? That question comes up quite often when I’m talking to fellow anglers. Through the years, I have condensed my lure selections and presentations. I have found that keeping things simple can be an advantage when on the water. Preferring to power fish, covering water and making long casts, doesn’t really require multiple lures or drastically different presentations. My confidence with a jig and paddle tail or swimbait is very high. It is a very complimentary presentation while power fishing. The key to success is keeping the lure moving. I have found a steady retrieve after a long cast allows me to cover large areas with a lure that stays in the strike zone longer. Basically, after the cast simply lower the rod tip and start retrieving the lure so that it stays just above the bottom structure like grass. Obviously, conditions play a role in the presentation. Depending on depth, current, wind and structure choose a lure that will work best for each condition. The weight of the lure is usually the key. In light current, shallower water, hard structure and grass, lighter lures work best. Heavy current and deeper water require a heavier presentation. I have found a steady retrieve works very well with a spoon and steady retrieve and light twitches work very well with a weedless Jerk Shad. I use an occasional plug like a wake bait or suspending twitch bait and the steady presentation works very well. I think back to when I moved down here a few years ago catching redfish was a challenge. I couldn’t figure it out and was very frustrated. One day, sticking with a jig and paddle tail and a steady retrieve, I caught a couple. Since that day, I have had great confidence catching redfish, snook, trout and other species. There are times when fast erratic presentations are needed or slow deliberate action while working your lure on the bottom will be productive. If power fishing is your game, then using a simple presentation that allows you to cover water is very effective. Good luck and keep casting.

Many of the snowbirds have left, the traffic has lightened up, and the fish are biting! This is undoubtedly one of my favorite times of the year, as it transitions into some of the best fishing that our area has to offer. Whether you’re looking for snook on the beaches, permit on the wrecks, or tarpon up and down our coasts, Springtime has it all! The backwater fishing has remained steady. The mangroves have been producing plenty of snook, redfish, big jacks and mangrove snapper. Look for bait on the beaches in the morning. There have been large schools of bait up and down the coasts. The bait schools are mixed, consisting of threads, pilchards, blue runners, and more. For backwater, I prefer to use pilchards, and luckily, they are usually relatively close to shore. Once