Hi Folks, Capt. Adam Morley here with a quick fishing report from this past weeks outings on the Matanzas River. The top water bite has been absolutely sizzling, especially during high tide, for those gorgeous Redfish. There’s something magical about watching those explosive strikes on the surface—it’s pure excitement. Again fish the grass lines, creek mouths, over oyster bars, and pinch points where predators can ambush their prey.
During low tide, I’ve had great success on the open flats. The schools of Reds have been quite active, and it’s been a thrill stalking them through the shallows and watching them push water like a submarine. I’ve been using paddle tails, specifically the Blue Crab color from Skinny Water Lures, and let me tell you, the action on that bait is alluring…did you catch that? “Al-Lure-ing”. Please don’t stop reading.
With the arrival of the May full moon, we’ve also seen the Flounder making their way into the area larger sizes and numbers. To target them, use a curl tail bait and bounce them along the bottom. This technique has proven to be fruitful, delivering some solid catches.
Overall, it’s been an exciting time out on the water. The top water action during high tide and the productive flats fishing during low tide have been the hotspots for Redfish. And let’s not forget the Flounder, which have added some extra thrill to the mix.
Chris from Skinny Water Lures mentioned that the water temperature has been steadily rising due to the recent string of 90-degree days. It’s that time of the year when bigger bluefish are making their way into the Matanzas Inlet. They can be found as far south as Tomoka Basin, particularly in areas with deep holes and moving water. Additionally, schools of Jack Crevalle are also present in these areas. Paddle tail and hard twitch bait style lures are proving effective for targeting both Bluefish and Jack Crevalle.
Large schools of baitfish continue to inhabit the flats stretching from Tomoka Basin to the Long Creek area. We are focusing our efforts around High Bridge, Long Creek, and Pellicer Creek regions, targeting Redfish near oyster beds, deep holes, and creek mouths during high tide. For this, we have been using Skinny Water Lure paddle tails or curly tail grubs.
Moreover, an increasing number of juvenile Tarpon are being spotted in the Sea Ray Canal off Smith Creek. Exciting times indeed!
In the Surf, Barry with BS Surf Fishing Charters had this to say: Pompano have been caught from Vero to the Outer Banks. The hot baits are still crab knuckles, ghost shrimp, and sand fleas. If you can’t find crab, fiddler crabs sometimes work just as well. Electric Chicken shrimp, crab, flea, and pink & white fishbites have been the popular artificial baits. Make sure to bring some metal lures and topwater baits. Ladyfish, jacks, and Spanish mackerel are cruising along the beaches and inlets.
As of 5/10, the water quality was rated 9/10. Clean water is crucial. The winds are expected to be from the east, but manageable. Get out there and wet some lines. Cover different zones, and don’t hesitate to move if needed.
We have the Florida Surfcaster’s tournament this Saturday, featuring Pompano and Whiting divisions. We hope to see you all there; there have been some amazing catches.
Mullet are still lingering in the Matanzas Inlet and have not yet moved onto the beach.
Chris with the Facebook group Palm Coast Canal Fishing shared the following conditions and highlights:
- Water temperatures are rising, indicating the arrival of warmer weather. This change is starting to impact the fishing patterns in the area.
- Good news for those targeting Jacks! There are still plenty of Jacks actively chasing mullet in the canal. If you’re looking for some exciting action, now is the time to give it a shot.
- We’ve had a few successful catches of Snook and Reds reported recently. It seems like they’re starting to become more active in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for these prized catches!
- In addition to the regular catches, there have been numerous reports of Manatees spotted in the canal. These gentle giants add a touch of nature’s beauty to our fishing experiences.
- The nighttime bite is improving, and we’re hearing some promising stories. Anglers have managed to hook a couple of nice Reds under the dock lights. So, if you’re looking for some after-dark adventures, don’t miss out on the opportunity.
That’s all for now! Remember to share your own fishing stories, tips, and pictures with the group. Let’s keep the excitement alive and the lines tight! – Captain Adam Morley
