Ahoy, fellow anglers! Captain Adam Morley here, ready to dive into another exciting edition of the Flagler News Weekly Fishing Report. As a long-time Clean Water Advocate and owner of Genung’s Fish Camp, I’ve spent countless hours exploring the beautiful waters of the Matanzas River. Today, I’m sharing some tips and a sprinkle of humor to ensure your fishing trips are both successful and enjoyable.
June in the Matanzas River is truly magical. As summer heats up, so does the water—and, luckily for us, the fishing follows suit. The fish in these waters march to the rhythm of the tides rather than the clock. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, understanding this tidal rhythm is key to landing that trophy fish.
During this time of year, we primarily target redfish, trout, flounder, tarpon, and snook. But let’s face it: many novices end up catching sunburns, buzzes, catfish, and stingrays. This often happens because they’re fishing for “whatever bites” instead of targeting specific species. If you’re just tossing a line in and hoping for the best, you’re likely to end up with the less desirable catches.
There’s a common misconception that fishing success is all about luck. I hate to burst that bubble, but luck plays a much smaller role than knowing your stuff: understanding the tide, knowing where the fish are, what they’re feeding on, and how they’re feeling. If you’re not tuning in and syncing up with your surroundings, expecting fish to magically bite your hook is a pipe dream. You’ll likely end up with a string of catfish and stingrays—fun for the kids, maybe, but not exactly what most of us are aiming for.
When it comes to shallow water fishing, which I love, being conscious of your movements and sounds is crucial. A big school of reds isn’t going to stick around if you’re making a ruckus. Stealth and precision are your best allies. On the other hand, if you’re fishing deeper waters with strong currents and boat traffic, like around bridges, feel free to turn up the music and move around the boat. Your bait will do its thing without much disturbance from your party vibes.
Regardless of depth, using the right rig for the target species is essential. And remember, in fishing, less is more. Stay away from what I call Frankenstein rigs—those concoctions of various parts of rigs and lures combined into one monstrous creation at the end of your line. Whether you’re using artificials or natural baits, the less “extra stuff” on your line, the better.
In the summertime, I don’t even bother with a mono leader. The water visibility is poor, so I tie my lures directly to my braided line. This streamlined approach reduces the chance of anything spooking the fish. If conditions are right (water deeper than 18 inches and calm surface conditions), I love throwing topwater lures. There’s nothing quite like seeing a fish break the surface to hit your lure. But in lower water conditions, soft, subsurface baits like paddle tails and curl tails are my go-tos. The retrieve will vary based on what I’m targeting, but fishing these areas in this way tends to produce redfish, trout, and flounder—and not catfish.
Remember, the more you tune in to the environment and understand the habits of the fish, the more successful you’ll be. And while we’re on the subject of tuning in, let’s not forget the importance of conservation. Clean water is the lifeblood of our fisheries and our beloved sport. Every piece of trash you pick up and every conservation effort you support helps ensure that we can all enjoy these waters for years to come. Treat our waterways with the respect they deserve.
So, next time you head out, whether you’re chasing redfish in the flats or targeting snook around the bridges, keep these tips in mind. And if the fish aren’t biting, remember, it’s not always about luck—it’s about knowledge, strategy, and a little bit of patience. Plus, you can always blame the moon phase or your fishing buddy’s noisy antics.
Tight lines and see you on the water!
Captain Adam Morley
Genung’s Fish Camp
Chris from Skinny Water Lures brings you this week’s Fishing Report: A Week of Topwater Action and Snook Success
This week has been a real treat for with a topwater bite that’s been nothing short of awesome. Working the SWL topwater lures on high tide around flooded grass or parallel to the bank has been the key to success. The color of choice this week has been the all-white SWL peanut-shaped topwater lure.
And it’s not just about making one or two casts in an area – We recommend making multiple casts in the same spot to really get the fish going. This patience and persistence has paid off in a big way, with many strikes coming from these targeted areas.
But topwater action isn’t the only thing that’s been hot this week. We had great success with the SWL 4-inch paddle tail lure, paired with an Owner flashy spinner, has been a real winner. This spinner blade-style lure has been particularly effective on overcast or windy days, making it a great choice when trying to adapt to changing conditions.
Now, if you’re targeting snook, we have some good news for you. The High Bridge area has seen a significant pick-up in snook activity, with many bites coming from islands, pinch points with moving water, and areas with overhanging brush. And when it comes to lures, We recommend reaching for the SWL suspending twitch bait in black and gold. This lure’s twitch-twitch-pause method has been particularly effective in enticing those powerful snook. By mimicking the natural movement of a baitfish, this lure has been able to get snook to strike time and time again.
Overall, it’s been a great week for fishing in the High Bridge area with topwater action and snook success on the menu, there’s no shortage of opportunities for anglers to get out and catch some fish. So grab your gear and get ready to reel in some big ones!
