05-03-2002, 05:01 PM
Capt. Rob Blake’s fishing report from Florida’s Mosquito Lagoon and Upper Indian River-updated May 3rd, 2002.<br><br>We call this time of year Spring, but ten minutes outside will quickly change your mind about what season it is. Temperatures in the upper 90s, stiff southwest winds, and humidity so high you need a chainsaw to cut through it may be an indicator of things to come on the Space Coast. In fact, we broke two record high temperatures here in Brevard County over the past week. The heat is certainly on!<br><br>Early starts usually mean the angler is rewarded with a good trout bite and redfish tails in the air. The past week has been somewhat inconsistent in the catching department, and has been somewhat of a trend the past two weeks. Although we are finding good numbers of redfish, coaxing them into eating was a challenge at times. Full moon periods encourage nighttime feeding, but with the waning moon, the fishing should improve dramatically in the near term.<br><br>BEST BET: Set those alarm locks and get out on the water before the sun peaks the horizon! As the hot sun quickly warms the flats, the reds and seatrout can test your patience, but in general the early bird WILL get the worm. We’ve been using soft plastic jerkbaits like the 5” Saltwater Assassin rigged with a 5/0-worm hook for the redfish and Chug Bugs early on for nice trout catches. Keep in mind that the amount of chop on the surface dictates how you work that topwater plug. Slick calm water will force you to slow down the action on your topwater plug. Conversely, choppy conditions usually demand a “noisier” approach.<br><br>Live shrimp continue to produce for the sightcaster on reds-its not very often that you’ll get a refusal if your cast is up to par. An errant cast that is left sitting to long will do nothing but provide the pinfish an easy meal…little piranhas! <br><br>Fly anglers have been fairing surprisingly well given the full moon conditions of the last week. Shrimp and crab imitations tied on #2 hooks have been the bread and butter for the long-rodder. Between now and the next full moon phase, the fishing (and catching) will turn for the better.<br><br><br>Capt. Rob Blake<br>www.redfishonfly.com<br>1-866-RED-DRUM Toll Free<br>1-321-633-0923 local<br>1-321-544-5041 cell<br><br><br>Contact Capt. Rob at 1-866-RED-DRUM <br>or 321-633-0923 or 321-544-5041 (cell).