Howdy Anglers!
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of fishing in shallow waters, surrounded by the beauty and serenity of nature. The Matanzas River, located along the scenic coast, offers an exhilarating experience for anglers seeking redfish, trout, and flounder. With the use of artificial baits, the challenge becomes even more enticing as we test our skills and knowledge against these elusive species. Join me as we embark on a fishing expedition, immersing ourselves in the thrill of shallow water fishing in the Matanzas River.
Setting the Stage:
As the sun begins to cast its golden rays over the horizon, I find myself navigating my boat through the calm waters of the Matanzas River. The shallow flats stretch out before me, teeming with life and promising a bountiful day of angling. Armed with my collection of artificial baits, I eagerly anticipate the encounter with the majestic redfish, the elusive trout, and the crafty flounder.
Redfish: Masters of the Shallows:
The Matanzas River is renowned for its redfish population, and it’s no wonder why. These powerful and cunning fish thrive in the shallow waters, seeking refuge and sustenance amidst the abundant oyster beds. As I stealthily approach their feeding grounds, I carefully select my artificial bait, ensuring it mimics the natural prey they seek. Whether it’s a scented soft plastic lure or a meticulously crafted crankbait, the key lies in presenting an enticing offering that triggers their predatory instincts. Patience and precision are rewarded as I feel the telltale tug on my line, signaling the arrival of a worthy opponent.
The Wily Trout: Ambush Artists of the Flats:
Moving along the sandy bottoms and oyster bars, I turn my attention to the crafty trout. These voracious predators lie in wait, ready to ambush unsuspecting prey. With their keen senses, they quickly detect the presence of my artificial bait, demanding finesse and skill in the presentation. A well-placed cast and a subtle retrieve are crucial in tempting these finicky creatures. Whether it’s a lifelike soft plastic shrimp or a delicately designed topwater lure, I strive to imitate the movements and actions of their preferred forage. The explosive strikes and acrobatic battles that ensue are a testament to the trout’s allure and the rewards of mastering the art of shallow water angling.
Flounder: Masters of Camouflage:
As I approach the channel openings and the subtle drop-offs, my focus shifts to the crafty flounder. These masters of camouflage lie flat on the sandy bottoms, awaiting an opportunity to strike. With their unique hunting style, I employ a paddle tail bait, bouncing it along the bottom to mimic a wounded baitfish. The key is to keep the retrieve slow and deliberate, allowing the flounder to locate and engulf the artificial offering. It’s a game of patience and precision as I await the subtle thump, indicating that I’ve hooked one of these deceptively strong and delectable fish.
Conclusion:
Fishing in the shallow waters of the Matanzas River for redfish, trout, and flounder with artificial baits is a captivating experience that tests both skill and intuition. It requires an understanding of the target species’ behavior, their preferred habitats, and the ability to select and present the right artificial bait. As the day draws to a close and I reflect on the thrilling moments spent in the midst of nature’s beauty, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude. Shallow water fishing in the Matanzas River has once again provided me with unforgettable memories and a renewed appreciation for the wonders of our waterways.
Chris from Skinny Water Lures mentioned that it’s going to be one of those summers with daily afternoon showers. If you struggle to find fish in the back flats during weeks with multiple rainy days, try to push closer to deeper channels or closer to the ICW. Weeks with multiple rainy days will lower the salinity level back in the flats, causing some fish to push closer to the ICW where there is less of a salinity swing.
Large schools of baitfish are being found back in the flats. With the abundance of baitfish, focus your lure selection by matching the hatch. What does matching the hatch mean? Well, it ensures that whichever lure or bait you are using to entice a bite matches as closely as possible to the bait that your target species is currently feeding upon.
Have you questioned yourself or wondered what color lure to use during muddy, stained, or clear water? Choose lure colors according to weather and water conditions. The general rule for lure color is “bright day, light colors; dark day, dark colors.” On bright, sunny days and in clear water conditions, choose lures that are light in color and mimic natural patterns. On cloudy days and in dirty water conditions, choose darker lures and those with a non-natural coloration, preferably types that make noise or vibrate as they move through the water.
We recommend the Skinny Water Lures Green Goblin, Texas-T, or Blue Crab colors for darker water. Use the SWL Pickleback, Natural Shrimp, or Smoked Mullet color on sunny, bright days.
Good numbers of fish are being caught in the Long Creek area. Redfish and trout are being caught early morning on topwater, while switching to a paddle tail after the temperature heats up. Focus on oyster bars and moving water.
Flounder are being found around channel openings with moving water by bouncing a paddle tail across the bottom.
