You’ve heard me say this time and again: This is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. The water is clean and clear, the weather cooperates and is mild, and the fish are lit up! The last few trips out have been extremely productive, with an amazing array of species brought to the skiff. The last couple of times out, I hosted Mason McGuigan from Sunshine Ace Hardware’s store in East Naples. Though extremely experienced and capable, Mason had never experienced our ‘Glades, nor had fished our backcountry. To say he’s hooked is an understatement at best. Look at the pictures… the kid can fish!
Although artificials are productive year-round, this time of year is perfect for a guy like me who loves throwing them. Water temps are mild, and fish are much more active and receptive. Not unlike us, the pleasant temps don’t wear on them and as long as the tide is moving, they are “happy.”
I generally start the day with a topwater lure, and the Rapala Skitter Walk is my go-to. It has amazing action and is relatively easy to use in that walk-the-dog cadence that drives fish insane. With the Skitter Walk, I’m not too color-focused as I believe that the surface commotion is what draws them in. Long casts to reach fish that have not yet felt the skiff are the norm. Working the lure in close to the mangroves and drawn back to skiff is the pattern that best works, at least for me. On that note, and as I constantly tell folks, do not abandon that cast; work it all the way to the boat because, more than once, that Snook will annihilate that lure boat side!
Remember folks: casts and hooksets are FREE, so take full advantage! At times, if terrain permits, I’ll move the skiff within about 10 feet from the shoreline and work the SkitterWalk parallel to the edges from about 1 o’clock to 11 o’clock. In this manner, it is in the strike zone much longer and efficiently covers a ton of water. Seeing the push of a Snook or big Redfish as it exits tight cover and works its way to the lure is heart-stopping, then the stroke-producing top-water strike… well, if you weren’t awake yet, you will be.
As the morning moves on and the wind picks up, I then transition to subsurface baits. The variety available is mind-boggling, but we all have favorites, don’t we? As I continue to work close to the mangroves and have the need to work tight cover, nothing beats a soft bail rigged weedless. The Zman scented Jerk Shadz on 1/8oz keel-weighted hooks are money! The two colors that are extremely consistent producers are Pearl and Slam Shady. There is just something about these whitish baits that just keep catching fish. They work for Snook, Reds and Trout. If I decide to go with a more organic color, I’ll use the Houdini pattern. It looks like almost every baitfish that swims back there. A couple of other solid choices are the NLBN mini mullet on the 2/0 BKK hook and the 3-inch paddle tails on 1/4oz jig heads. Choose whatever color you like because, to date, every one that I’ve thrown has caught fish! These are great lures from another Florida-based company.
When throwing in more open water, over oysters or over grass, another Rapala – the Twitchin Mullet – is hard to beat. It casts a mile and again mimics the common baits. It’s a simple retrieve, not unlike the topwater, though now subsurface, a walk-the-dog cadence with pauses is a killer routine. Like the soft baits, they’ll attract all the major target species back there. When power fishing and covering big water, many times I’ll grab a tried-and-true Johnson Spoon, in gold obviously. This classic has been putting fish on boats since 1923! Initially a bass lure, I can tell you that it slays fish in the ‘Glades backwaters as well.
Folks, I hope you read between the lines in this article and note that this ain’t rocket science. Visit one of our stores, chat with the team in the fishing department, set yourself up with any of these basic patterns and “get ya’ some.” Whether you have a boat or fish from shore, get out and enjoy this amazing backyard of ours. We are truly blessed.
Be well and be safe.
SEE MORE: Fishing with Sunshine
About the Author
Joe Garcia is the Brand Fishing Ambassador at Sunshine Ace Hardware.
Contact Joe for information on the hottest new fishing gear in stock, local fishing tips and more: JGarcia@SunshineAce.com.