April is certainly coming in like a lion this year. The winds and swells are making it difficult to get in on the early season dolphin bite.
This is the time of year when flexibility is crucial. I often plan one or two trips around the weather forecast. That may mean closing my shop a few hours early or opening a few hours late, but I am an avid angler. It is what I do.
If you have the flexibility in your schedule, these trips are very rewarding. The day after a hard wind blow is often the best fishing. Make plans to take a day off the next time the wind lays down. Don't just hope that the conditions are good for the weekend.
Offshore report: Again, early forecasts are showing the winds to subside by the weekend. If they do, the fishing should be great.
Several reports have come in with schooling dolphin found beginning at the 120- foot mark off Lake Worth Inlet. The highest concentration of fish does seem to still be to the south, but that can change in an instant if there is any weed line or floating debris in the water. Using a skirted ballyhoo is the preferred trolling method, but I have heard a few anglers having luck finding the fish with sea witches and ilander lures.
I generally recommend blue, silver, pink and purple colored lures this time of year. There are still sailfish and wahoo to be caught, but you will need a bit of luck.
Several drift boats are reporting a good snapper bite in the south end of the region over the wrecks and reefs. Dead sardines on the bottom work well, but a fresh caught and cut blue runner works even better.
Inshore report: The inshore bite is very typical for this time of year.
There are pompano at first light on most beaches, hitting sand fleas and shrimp.
The bluefish continue to run the trough between the sand bar and shore feeding on any shiny lure or dead cut bait.
Last week, I managed to catch a 35- to 40-pound jack crevalle off Juno Pier. These bruisers test any angler's tackle, stamina and ability to tie strong fishing knots.
There are a good number of sharks feeding on the bluefish running the beaches. Most are spinner and black tip sharks, ranging from 80- to 150-pounds , but the bite usually finishes by 8 a.m.
Tight lines, crystal clear waters and sunny skies to all.
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Rob Fielding is an addicted angler and the owner of Sharkey's Tackle in Jupiter. For more information call (561) 630-3100 or e-mail Rob.Fielding@SharkeysTackle.com.