PonCE inlEt & BaCkWatERs FORECAST

April is one of my favorite months weather wise, not too hot or humid just yet and we get a few fronts that will push through with great fishing opportunities just ahead of them. Early in the month I will be wrapping up my sheepshead targeted trips as their spawn will be just about over. I will be focused on structure for these guys as I have mentioned before such as the jetties, docks and the causeways. A short Carolina rig or a jig head tipped with fiddler crabs is the best bet, but you can also use shrimp and even an extra piece of fish bites. On the calmer days early in the month Cobia will be a good fish to target. Throughout the past couple of years, they have gotten so much pressure that they tend to stay down more than they have traditionally but on the right day you may hit the jackpot. Regulations have changed on them in regards to size and quantity so please do your homework before heading out on the hunt. My favorite way of targeting them is cruising the beach looking for rays. When you spot a ray with fish on it, PLEASE and I cannot urge you enough, please don’t cast right at the ray and snag it. You will only ruin your chance of catching a fish. You have to stay far enough away that you can cast ahead of the ray and get your bait alongside it or even to swim under it.I like using both Bucktails and large soft plastics for Cobia. My color preferences are green, Chartreuse, and pink but I have heard plenty of other success stories with other colors. Also, if there is a boat on a ray out of common courtesy do not run up on that same ray and start casting. I see it happen every

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Winter Caught Bally Hoo

spring and it blows my mind that anglers would act this way as all this does is ruin the chances of either boat getting a fish. Lastly as the month rolls on and we get some fishable offshore days the Mahi bite should turn on. This year as the water is somewhat warmer than usual this time of year everything should happen a little sooner than usual. Ballyhoo accompanied with a skirt of your color preference will do the trick. Weedlines, temperature changes, and even just some sort of floating debris should have a fish on it! As always get out there and catch some fish, if you see us on the water please say hello!

If you are looking for a 5-star inshore fishing experience, you will want to connect with Captain Marty Goldys of ‘Reel Harmony Fishing Charters’.

A waterman since birth, Captain Marty grew up fishing waters of the Chesapeake Bay for striper (aka Rockfish) and flounder. Surrounded by local fisherman, crabbers, and environmentalists growing up, Marty knew his destiny was a future captain. He was raised on a diet of Blue Crab, local fish, and seafood that he, his family, and friends would harvest.

Naturally, moving to Florida became a goal once he discovered the huge array of saltwater species available to target in this region. Fishing Ponce Inlet, Spruce Creek, and the Halifax River have been the practice since arriving to Florida in early 2000.

Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Black-drum, Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Snapper, Mackerel, Cobia, Triple-tail, and Permit are among the most common inshore species Captain Marty targets. That being said, don’t be surprised if you see this captain offshore targeting pelagic species as he is experienced in all types of fishing.

If you want your money’s worth on a local charter, you want to book with ‘Reel Harmony Fishing Charters’ as this Captain runs a very organized operation that ensures everyone on board catches Fish!

If it is a personable Captain you’re in search of, look no further. This local guide will provide tactical tutorials from the moment he greets you, all the way through the conclusion of your fishing charter. Captain Marty is a very patient individual who enjoys hosting junior