Our summer like weather has continued here in east central Florida. Water temperatures have been near 80 which has kept much of the baitfish schools around. Big gator trout are returning to the shallow flats and can be seen setting up ambush stations in the shallow sand pockets. These fish are extremely spooky but you can still sight fish for them with soft plastics and flies if you make a stealthy approach. The DOA shrimp has been effective this week on the trout as well as redfish.
Redfish are beginning to school up and this week we encountered several schools with over 100 fish in them. A DOA Baitbuster reeled across the surface resulted in some great topwater strikes with a few double hookups.
Large schools of black drum can be found as well but have been skittish due to heavy fishing pressure. A dead shrimp placed in front of the school is your best bet.
Winter will be here soon enough but I, for one, am enjoying our extended summer. As long as the water stays warm, the topwater action will remain consistent.
