VOLUSIA COUNTY

To plan your best day ever with Captain Bruno, book the ultimate fishing or boating charter adventure

CALL 386-689-7409

CaughtUpFishingCharters@ yahoo.com

Get stoked on Caught Up blog pages, Facebook @ BrianBrunoImbrunone, Instagram @CaughtUpFishing

By: Desiree’ Harbster and Capt Lynda Hawkins

Found some fish to play with. Light tackle is always Fun when getting into these snook. Come fish with Caught Up Fishing charter.

Book today on the back side of all the winter early spring fronts dates will book up fast!!

By: Captain Marty Goldys w/ Reel Harmony Fishing Charters

As the water warms and weather changes, you’ll notice new patterns with migrating fish. It is also important to understand how these fish being targeted feed, what they prey on, water temperatures they thrive in, and where they prefer to position themselves in their environment. Once you begin to notice these trends in fish behavior, creating a plan for targeting these species becomes much easier.

The Infamous Snook is a highly desired fish to target around the state of Florida. While some regions of Florida are more densely populated with the Snook species, other regions can be rather difficult to find and track this treasure of a fish.

What do we know about the Snook?

Many categorize the Snook as the most sought after inshore Gamefish Florida has to offer. This could be attributed to their aggressive fighting ability compared to other saltwater species. If you’ve ever caught a larger Snook, you know the intense feeling it brings as it can be a true challenge to land one. Snook tend to thrash around at the surface and sometimes even jump/spring from the water in an effort to throw the hook and swim off. The Snooks Lateral Line is It’s sensory system that allows this species to detect water motion and pressure Gradients. This is such a useful guide to Snook considering where they like to hunt, feed, spawn, and rest.

Snook are known to be one of the more intelligent inshore saltwater species to target in Florida. Given this fact, my tactics differ when pursuing this species of fish. I like to think ‘Natural Presentation’. This means scaling down on your leader size. When I would normally go with a 40 or 30 pound Monofilament leader, I scale down to 25 or even 20 pound Fluro-carbon leader to target this very Keen fish. Then, I utilize a much smaller hook than usual (size 2 or 3 In-line, Live bait circle hooks are preferred).

Next to consider your baits when targeting snook. When in the ‘Backcountry’, I tend to exclusively use Live Shrimp and hook the shrimp through the tail to maximize its mobility and range of motion. Ideally, you want this live shrimp to dance under the waters surfaces in an effort to attract nearby predators. I will 90% of the time use NO weigh when targeting snook in the ‘Backcountry’. The idea being to get your live shrimp into tight spaces that Snook tend to hide/rest while awaiting smaller prey to drift/swim by. I am of course speaking of mangrove lines, down trees, and/or ambush points. Snook being ambush predators, they will blind side a free swimming Live Shrimp.

When it comes to targeting Snook in Docks or on seawalls, I really enjoy going after the sun has set (at night). With this style of fishing, I always go to the finger mullet as my bait source. Very similar to targeting snook in the ‘Backcountry’ , I go with 30 or 25 pound Fluro-Carbon leader and a size 2 or 3 in-line, Live Bait circle hook. The trick with this approach being not to spook the fish, meaning keep a safe distance from the area being fished. Again, Snook are very sensitive fish so they can often feel when other species, boats, or activity is taking place nearby. Keep a safe proximity from the Dock or Seawall being targeted and this will exponentially increase your chances of hooking up with a Snook. Simply feed your Live Mullet toward your selected ambush point on your elected Dock or Seawall.

Lastly, targeting Snook in deeper waters, like in the pass, near the jetty, by the bridges, or even over some reefs. Getting your bait down to the target zone is key. Knowing that most snook feed in the bottom 2/3rd’s of the water column is an essential part of having success when fishing these areas.

I tend to go a bit heavier with my terminal tackle when targeting snook in these environments given there is almost always hard pulling tides/current. This being the main ingredient when targeting snook in deeper areas (Moving Water). I beef up to 30 or 40 pond Fluro-Carbon Leader and attach an appropriate amount of weigh determined by the rate in which the water is moving. Also utilizing a size 3 or 4 inline, Live Bait, Circle Hook, I tend to go with much larger Live baits. When using these larger bait fish, I almost always ‘Head-Hook’ the fish allowing it to swim freely preventing line tangles and twists. Checking your baits often to ensure it is in fact Alive and swimming naturally will be essential to having success.

ALWAYS remember when targeting Snook to handle them with Extreme Care and release them back into their environment with 30 seconds of being caught. This means stabilizing the fish and holding them boat side in the water for at least 30 seconds to a minute before allowing them to safely swim off. Be sure there are NO dolphins nearby waiting to pounce this now fatigued fish. Taking the extra time to ensure a smooth, safe, healthy release is of most importance when targeting the Snook.

Probably my favorite fish to target in Florida is the Redfish or Red-Drum. I say this because not only is this species remarkably Beautiful, each with it’s own very unique marking but, one of the hardest fighting fish you’ll find (pound for Pound). People travel from all over the globe in an effort to target the Redfish. Lucky for us in this region, we have some of the BEST Red-fishing the state has to offer.

Just like the snook, Redfish can be targeted in a variety of environments. When fishing ‘Backcountry’, I like to utilize ambush points near oyster bars. The anatomy of a Redfish shows their ability to easily feed directly off the bottom. So naturally, you want to ensure your baits/presentation is near or on the bottom. ‘Backcountry’ redfish can be caught on Live Shrimp, Fresh Dead Shrimp, or any variety of crustaceans.

If you would like to target one of the species mentioned give me a call for a Family Friendly Inshore Fishing Experience (386)679-0317 or visit Instagram: @capt_ harmony • Reelharmonyfishingcharters@gmail.com • www.ReelHarmonyFishing.com • Licensed & Insured

When targeting any of the inshore species listed above it’s important to know your size regulations and seasons for harvesting. Up to date fishing regulations can be found by visiting www.eregulations.com

I tend to also go with a weightless presentation so I can easily detect a drum bite in shallower waters. Always stick with that smaller size 2 or 3 In-line, Live Bait, Circle hook when targeting Redfish. This allows for an Easy hook-up and a just as Easy ‘DeHook’ and release.

I also enjoy targeting Redfish Near Bridges, in deeper Passes, and in areas with extreme currents and moving water. Much like the Snook, Redfish are Ambush feeders which mean they’ll conserve their energy for the most part, waiting until baits come to them for easy consumption. I will beef up my terminal tackle to 40 or even 50 pound Fluro-Carbon leader when targeting large Bull (Breeding) Redfish. This heavier tackle will ensure you limit your fight time and keep your massive redfish attached for a safe release. I bump up to a size 6, 7, or 8 In-line, Live Bait Circle hook when I know I’m after larger species of Red-Drum. Understanding that Redfish feed along the bottom in the last 3/4th’s of the water column will be essential to getting your baits in the target zone.

When talking baits for Larger Redfish, I’ve seen them eat just about everything you can put in front of them ranging from large Crustaceans, to very large Mullet, and even a Whiting or small blue fish during the winter months. After hooking your trophy Redfish it becomes critical to release them back into their environment within 30 seconds of being caught. While it’s alright to grab a quick photo of your prize catch, it’s much more Important we get that fish back into the water so they can be properly revived to swim off safely. Look out for predatorial dolphins before releasing your Redfish. Make certain your Redfish is FULLY revived and ready to kick-off strongly before releasing your grip. The more effort you put into a smooth, safe, healthy release, the longer these fish will be around to target.

Please consider Releasing both Slot Redfish and Snook species when caught as this single tips will tremendously help with conservation of these Amazing species.

Captain Marty’s Challenge of the month: Every day on the water fill a 5 gallon bucket with trash on your way to/from the boat ramp or while on the water. This effortless task will not only improve the aesthetics of your surrounding environment but, it will have long lasting impacts on our surrounding waterways. Share this ‘Challenge of the Month’ with friends and family as the more that participate the greater impact.

BASS CAPITAL By Captain Lynda Hawkins According to Lorraine at BASS WORLD LODGE 386-467-2267 Lafon has been catching lots of bream and he recently went fishing with Jim and caught an 8 pound tilapia. Jim has caught several nice catfish up to 5 pounds. Mark and Blonde are catching limits of bass using worms all were catch and release.

Donald’s Bait & Tackle in Port Orange fiddlers landed Landon his first sheepshead.