Coastal Angler Magazine | North Central Florida / Nature Coast April 2026 Edition

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By A. deGruchy

Mahi season is one of those drop everything and go times of year, and when we begin to slide from spring into summer, you can usually count on schools showing up o!shore. e warmer the water, the better it gets, especially when you nd clean blue water, good current edges, weed lines, oating debris, or any kind of structure holding bait in that 75- to 82-degree range. Fishing with Bean Sport shing in the Florida Keys and other parts of the state, over the past few years we’ve de nitely seen more smaller sh and fewer big cows and bulls, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone. When conditions line up, there’s always a chance a quality mahi-mahi is mixed in with the schoolies.

Mahi love anything moving, so live bait is tough to beat, and when they’re really red up, you can even catch them on y. Tackle-wise, we like running a 6500 size setup because you never know when a better sh shows up. e Penn Slammer IV 6500 paired with a Carnage III rod is a go-to for us, and the Penn Spin sher VII 6500 spinning combo is another solid option. We’ve had great success using the Mustad 7766D 6/0 hook, and for bait we’ll typically sh whitebait or troll Islamorada Flyers depending on the day.

When it comes to the table, blackened or fried mahi is hard to beat, and we only keep what we’re going to eat that day. Even though mahi are one of the fastest-growing sh in the ocean, conservation still matters, and being mindful about what you harvest goes a long way.

Bean Sport shing can run this type of trip, but it’s highly weather dependent o!shore. If you’re looking to book a dedicated o!shore charter in e Keys, I highly recommend LegaSea Charters. Capt. Joey can be reached at legaseacharters.com.

If you’re planning on visiting Islamorada, book at the fabulous ree Waters Resort and reach out to us about a special captain’s discount.

Follow deGruchy’s adventures on Instagram @bean_sport shing and on YouTube @BeanSport shing. To book a charter, visit beansport shing.com.

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COASTAL ANGLER

North Central Florida/Nature Coast

Cary & Lynn Crutchfield

ALACHUA, CITRUS, COLUMBIA, DIXIE, GILCHRIST, LEVY, MARION, SUWANNEE

April

April

2022, I began by expressing my sorrow for the horrors in Ukraine. I can’t believe that four years later, the horrors continue. My heart also breaks for the people of Israel and Gazza, and now, Iran and neighboring Middle East countries. As I write today, 13 American service members have been added to the death toll. For the past three years, my grandson was stationed on a ship in the Mediterranean. I am so grateful, that last month, he was transferred to Washington, D.C.

As I write tonight in late March, Winter ended cool and a little wet, and Spring has sprung. Even with almost no rain, the trees are greening, wildflowers are blooming. We got a little rain, but the swamp is dry and the river is very, very low. Only thing good about that, is very low possibility of flooding anytime soon.

See page 10 for info on Dixie County’s Daddy Daughter Dance and Mother Son Dance, sponsored by the Dixie County Rotary Club. Our granddaughter, Secelia, can’t wait to go again.

See pages 5 and 13 for Polaris of Gainesville, rejoining us after an absence of a few months. Let them know that they were missed.

This month’s recipe, Real Men Do Eat (Seafood) Quiche, page 2 is so fast, easy, yummy and perfect for guests.

As always, I am reminding you to check with your medical professional about getting your Covid booster, flu shots, and RSV, if you are of a certain age. Stay smart, stay well and stay alive.

And as always, thank the business where you picked up the world’s greatest FREE fishing magazine. Thank our advertisers and writers. It takes a team.

Mother’s Day is next month. Maybe she would like a fishing trip with one of our guides?

Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida/Nature Coast

North Central Florida Nature Coast Staff SALES

Cary Crutchfield

EDITING & PRODUCTION

Lynn Crutchfield

GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN

Kathleen Stemley

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dr. Kevin McCarthy Noel Kuhn

Capt. Jason Clark

Capt. Katie Jo Davis

Capt. Tommy Derringer

Capt. Andrew Fagan

Capt. Jonathan Hamilton

Capt. Dallas King

Capt. Pat McGriff

Capt. Brent Woodward

CONTACT INFORMATION crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com 352-542-0356

REAL MEN DO EAT (SEAFOOD) QUICHE

Thank you to The Crab Plant for the crab and shrimp. Visit their Fresh Seafood Market or enjoy Cooked Seafood to go. Y ou are welcome to sit at their table and

view beautiful Kings Bay while you enjoy your delicious, freshly prepared meal, watching manatees, dolphins, pelicans and boats. Or, you can carry it home; your choice. Open Tues-Thurs 10:00-5:30, FriSat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.

DIRECTIONS

Blind bake crust at 375 F for 15 minutes. Beat eggs and add cream, milk, parsley, onions and seasonings. Remove crust from oven and let cool slightly. Grate the Swiss cheese and place in crust with seafood. Pour egg mixture over cheese and seafood and sprinkle with Parmesan. Place pie pan in larger pie pan, or on cookie sheet, in case of bubble over. Bake about 45 minutes at 375, until center is set.

COOKING DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

• 1 9-inch-deep dish pie crust (homemade or your favorite purchased)

• 6 ounces Swiss Cheese

• ½ cup crabmeat

• ½ cup shrimp (cut in ½ inch pieces)

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup milk

• ¼ chopped parsley

• ¼ cup chopped green onions, green and white

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon pepper

• ½ teaspoon dry mustard

• ¼ grated Parmesan cheese

• Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

To quote my in-house food critic, “You can make that again.” I served with my favorite citrus salad; spring mix, orange sections and dressing, made with a spoonful of frozen OJ concentrate, a spoonful of water, a little olive oil, a little red wine vinegar and a bit of orange blossom honey. (Thank you to Gail for the oranges.) I found the basis for this recipe in an old cookbook, published by the United Methodist Women from the Chiefland United Methodist Church. This recipe was submitted by Lillian McCall, late mother of the late Coach Doyle McCall.

Lynn Crutchfield,

Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida

Cleaning up our Rivers FLORIDA WATERWAYS

By Kevin McCarthy

By Dr. Kevin M. McCarthy

Throughout the year, but especially in the warm months of the fall and spring, thousands of volunteers work on cleaning up our waterways, including the rivers and springs of North Florida. One organization in our area that is responsible for such cleanups is the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD). In one recent report the SRWMD reported that volunteers removed over ten tons of junk from the Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers. Without such careful removal, these structures and debris can cause flooding, navigational hazards, and safety concerns on the rivers.

One result of the river floods that happen in the fall and spring, is the rise of the rivers, which sometimes, depending on the severity of the floods, affects docks and piers along the rivers. This is especially true as strong currents, which are often the result of upstream floodings, cause damage to the structures they encounter. The floods also bring unwanted debris, which can damage the wooden structures and pile up in accessible places. Debris just below the surface of the water can also damage the boats of unsuspecting boaters.

Among the organizations that keep track of the debris and remove much of it is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Two particular areas of concern are the confluence of rivers, for example where the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee meet, and where the Santa Fe and Suwannee meet. Such places seem to collect more than their share of debris and unsecured structures. This becomes noticeable after the periodic floods that our rivers experience. The pile-up of all kinds of debris is an eyesore as well as a danger, once the mess gets unplugged and sent on its way down the river.

The pictures here, reprinted with permission of the Florida Park System, show just how beautiful the Santa Fe is after a clean-up. The efforts of countless volunteers, all part of such campaigns as “Leave No Litter,” can result in a remarkable transformation. One can only hope that the many youngsters who join their parents in such clean-ups will become responsible

adults when it comes to keeping our waterways clean. Just the use of reusable bottles and bags can do much in these efforts.

Our kudos to the Suwannee River Water Management District and its successful efforts to protect and manage our precious water resources, using science-based solutions. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District (SRWMD) serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties. For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com.

So, residents and volunteers alike, if you have the time, please join many others throughout the year and do your part in cleaning up the Santa Fe and other watery gems of North Central Florida. The generations of fishermen and boaters who follow will be very grateful and may inspire many others to do likewise.

Kevin McCarthy, the author of “Suwannee River Guidebook” (Amazon, 2009), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.

Things are heating up here on the big bend!

Inshore, the redfish and trout have moved back to the outside and have been readily available. Live shrimp under a float or a fresh cut chunk of lady fish or mullet on the outside bars will work perfectly.

Offshore, our first push of cobia come this month. A lively pinfish or catfish free lined or suspended over structure is

ticket. Set your drag and make sure you know a legal fish before you gaff it. Tight lines and calm seas everyone!

: @capt_redfishdrew

KATIE JO’S NATURE COAST ADVENTURES

April brings warmer days on the water, which means the migratory fish will begin moving to our waters on the Nature Coast.

Triple tail and cobia are two fish that come to mind as the water temperatures begin to rise. Cobia are often found near wrecks, rock piles and the grass flats. I like to free-line pinfish into the current off the back of the boat on heavier tackle. I also always keep a Rapala Xrap on the ready, should I need to cast a lure to one swimming by.

Triple tail are found swimming on weed lines, buoys and free floating. I keep a shrimp on a 1/16 ounce jighead, ready should I see one when running from spot to spot.

This is also my favorite time of the year to begin targeting huge black drum. I find a big school and toss three or four dead shrimp to them using a 1/8-ounce jighead. These fish are found in deeper cuts between oyster bars.

Nearshore, I love to target shallow

water hogfish, as they move closer in on hard bottom during the slower moving tides. I drop a medium to large-sized shrimp down and leave it resting on the bottom.

April on the Nature Coast is a wonderful time to fish! Lots of variety to catch and target which always makes for a fun day on the water!

Captain Katie Jo Davis KD OUTDOORS FiSHING

772-882-8932 www.fishcrystalriverflorida.com

CEDAR KEY

Hey anglers; it’s pretty much the best time of year to come out here and get on some spotted trout and silver trout!

Their spawn is in full swing, and the bite is absolutely on fire. It’s also a fun time to try out bigger lures as they feed on bigger bait this time of year.

I use a bunch of 4-to-5-inch paddle tails, under a popping cork, and it works out very well for my clients.

The key this time of year is to find the right water depth they are feeding in. Most of the time on the flats, I find the 2-to-3-foot range to be awesome, but some days the 3 to 4 range works out better. Really, just depends on the day. Always look at your depth when you get in, and then, and when you get out of

them, and make the proper adjustments from there.

Don't forget about redfish either; they are starting to show up around the islands, and nothing beats throwing a chunk of mullet on the bottom at them!

Well y'all, units next month. Stay safe out there.

Capt. Jason Clark In The Slot Fishing Charters 352-639-3209 www.intheslotfishing.com

KEATON BEACH

The fishing will be awesome in April, as all of our usual suspects shall show up this month. The pelagics (bait and predators) will all be here before this month's end. There have already been a few cobia showing up in Steinhatchee, and today is March 12th. Water temps have already moved up through the 70s and will threaten 80 degrees in less than a week, if current weather trends persist. I should think you can choose any bait and presentation you wish and be successful at catching your limits of trout and reds.

Our larger overslot trout, have become active of late in shallow areas where you find mullet and reds. Assassin's Lit'l P&V, Elite Shiner, and the old standby, 5-inch shad baits, have all been producing nice trout and reds at Keaton in March. Houdini, Chicken-ona-Chain, Pink Ghost, Canada Craw, Brown Glass Minnow & Hammertime to mention a few, have all taken their share so far this spring. I fish the 5 inches on a 5/0 offset worm hook, unweighted or with a swimbait hook if it is windy. If suspending hardbaits are your choice, MirrOLures' MirrOdines in #17MR and #27MR have been great in 808, CFPR, S, 17MRBG, CS17MR-SHAD and 17MRBG-

PFSBG have all been good of late. Work these baits in one to three feet of water, and look for dingy water where either mullet are present or have been, ie, the stirred-up water. l like to throw the broken glass series when there is a decent chop on the surface. Dumb down to the CFPR or skin series were it to slick off. April is TOPWATER TIME! Get out your stickbaits and throw them on the falling tide. Use louder plugs, like L&S She Dogs and She Pups, if it is blowing, and then switch to Top Dog Jrs. and Top pups if it's calmer. You need only two patterns, white or bone bellied for number one, and an orange bellied bottom for number two. Overcast? Throw Orange. You guess the other condition for white or bone.

Reds will also eat these same offering, however, I would add a weedless Gold or Copper spoon to my arsenal if I were you. Slow the spoon down and try to bump the substrate every third or fourth turn of the reel handle. As always, find the mullet, you find the reds.

Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing! Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 33 years! www.onemorecast.net onemorecast@gtcom.net cell: 850.838.7541

HORSESHOE BEACH

April

can be one of the most productive months of the year for many species, but trout have been the most consistent fish, especially during the first few hours of the morning. Live shrimp under a popping cork has been producing well, but throwing soft plastics and topwater plugs early have also been picking up some quality fish. Look for trout along grass edges and sandy potholes where bait is holding.

Redfish have been scattered but steady along the outer flats and around rocky bottom areas. As the sun gets higher, sight-fishing opportunities improve on calmer days when reds start cruising the shallows. Gold spoons, paddle tails, and live shrimp have all been getting bites.

Drifting deeper grass in the afternoons we are also running into a few flounder along with the occasional surprise species mixed in.

With warming water and plenty of bait showing up on the flats, the inshore fishing around Horseshoe Beach should only continue to improve in the coming weeks. Early

mornings and moving water have been the key, and anglers willing to cover some water, are finding solid action. Well guys and gals until next time keep it Reel Native!!

Capt. Brent Woodward ReelNativeFishing.com

352-284-5514

HOMOSASSA CRYSTAL RIVER

Trout and snook fishing can be some of the best in the spring! April is still one of my favorite months for those big yellow mouth trout and snook on artificials. Inshore, nearshore, offshore: it doesn’t really matter where you are this time of year; there’s something for everyone!!

Trout fishing will be good both inshore on the yellow hard bottom, and nearshore areas like the foul area around the 6 to8 foot ranges. Incoming tides for inshore fishing with noose hooked DOA 5-inch CAL are deadly. Wait for the tide to get over the rock and be patient. These fish will spook off the rock if you’re too early, or not come in at all. Near shore rocks will have big females around your favorite grouper rocks in the 6-to-8-foot range. I like to establish a drift and then mark a spot (With my gps, or you can drop a marker buoy.) when I pick up one or two fish, I will then idle out and around the drift and duplicate that pass. More times than not, you will pick up another fish in the exact same spot. When fishing this depth, I like to fish with a DOA 1/16 OZ jig head in chartreuse rigged with a MirrOLure lil john in glow or watermelon gold flake. Cast down wind and allow the bait to get to the bottom and bounce the jig off the bottom,

April is truly a breath of fresh air.

working back towards you. If you’re having a hard time working it deep enough, move up a size on your jig head.

Red fishing will be good around the outside points. I like fishing live pin fish this time of the year. Gold spoons and top water plugs are good as well. Bait fish flies or shrimp pattern flies work well. Sight fishing on low tide can be productive this time of the year. Water clarity is still pretty good.

I love snook fishing late March and April. Snook have moved out to the outer islands now that we are having warmer days and nights. These fish will be concentrated to outside points with good moving water. Nose hooked jerk baits in glow and MirrODines will produce bites. Live pin fish free lined is also a snack they won’t turn down! If you are offshore trout fishing, make sure to bring some shrimp with you. Shrimp rigged on a jig head fishing the near shore rocks, will provide you with rod bending action and great table fare. The rocks are alive with grunts, snapper and mackerel. Lots of fun for kids too!

As always stay safe!

Capt. Stump, Jonathan Hamilton

352-403-2073

www.homosassafishingcompany.com

A true taste of summer on the way. Tarpon and cobia will slowly show up towards the end of the month, on their annual migration patterns. Trout will start moving further west; snook and redfish will be pushing out of the creeks and into (relatively) deeper waters as well. Tarpon and cobia will start showing face later into the month and will only get better in May. I like to chum my cobia up at rock piles and deep ledges. Cut up frozen bait, old lady fish, shrimp, anything stinky. If you’re getting the sharks attention, then you’re doing it right. If you don’t like the sharks around, then avoid chumming and play the waiting game. Big live baits seem to be the ticket. Tarpon are best caught early on a good moving tide. Hard Points and cuts are where I find them early season. I try to keep a tarpon rod ready at all times during this time of year, because you never know when a silver king will gulp air right next to you.

Redfish and snook will be thick in numbers around hard bottom points and rocky islands. Work slowly and quietly to not spook them. Practice good catch and release techniques when you can, to ensure that our fish live on for future generations. This winter’s freeze killed a lot of fish (snook especially) in our area. Live baits like a big pinfish are my go-to in the spring months. For the artificial guys, I love throwing a gold spoon or a lil John on a 1/8th ounce jig.

Trout will be moving westerly, gearing up for the summer heat.

of my April trout fishing done. A lil John or live shrimp under a popping cork seems to trigger the strike. If all else fails, the trusty live shrimp will work as well.

God bless and tight lines Captain Dallas King Pirate Flag Charters and Tours 352.601.8460

www.pirateflagcharters.com www.crystalriverfishingpros.com

SURF & PIER

The best whiting bite in over ten years, PERIOD! February and March were off the chart as far as quantity and quality. Days of catching, not fishing, has been the new normal. I like the tough decision, “Do I want to clean any more than what is in the cooler?” This trend should last through this month also.

If you want to fill the cooler with whiting, downsize your tackle. My go-to hook is NOT 1/0, but a #1 Eagle Claw Circle Sea. Also, downsize your bait to 1 inch x ½ inch. You can never go wrong with fresh dead shrimp. However, two of my favorite baits, when the bite is hot, catch multiple fish with the same bait. They are pink Fishbites in shrimp flavor and Whiting strips. Catching whiting with whiting is very productive. I learned this 20 years ago when we ran out of shrimp. Just fillet one and keep the skin on. Next cut in strips ½ inch x 1 inch. Finally, go through the meat, then out through the skin. Then check the tip of your hook for a scale. Time to send it.

This month and next month are prime times for the return of the fast-migrating pompano. They spent this cold winter down in south Florida. Now, they are on the move, headed all the way to North Carolina for the hot summer months., When pursuing these Silver Nuggets, use this pro tip. Do not cast too far., My first six-pound pompano came when the bite was so hot that I could not get three rods

baited. I had just finished baiting rod number two when my first rod went off. I made a panicked cast with number two. It went about 30 feet into three feet of water. As I was reeling in number one, I heard drag ripping! That short mistake cast ended up being a six-pound 4-ounce pomp that was 22 inches to the fork!

When you set up, if you have more than one rod, throw one short. If you have three or more, cover all ranges. Especially one short. One just inside the bar and one as far as you can cast. If you do not have a quality fish in the cooler within 20 minutes, move. Look up and down the beach and find some different structure. In the words of my friend Larry Finch, “You can’t make them be there and you can’t make them bite!”

If you want to take your surf fishing to the next level, I can help! There are two ways to meet up with me on the beach. First, each month I teach a class of ten people for Guy Harvey. You can find these classes by going to guyyharveyoutpost.com. Then, look for outdoor adventures. Secondly, is a one-on-one charter. Below you will find my website and info.

Noel Kuhn

43 years of surf fishing experience, surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. Founding member of Florida Surf Casters club. 904-945-0660 www.TheSurfAngler.com

Whatan awesome time of year for fishing, and for just being on the water in Northeast Florida. The weather is about as nice as it gets. The inshore fish (redfish, trout, flounder, drum, bluefish, ladyfish, jacks, etc.) will be on the feed, with the influx of baitfish (finger mullet and pogies). With warming air and water temps, the nearshore fishing should be firing up as well with huge jacks, cobia, and maybe even a tripletail or two.

Inshore, the redfish will be crushing the finger mullet, and that means a top-water plug, especially at first and last light, will be the go-to lure of choice. My favorite topwater plug is the Berkley J-Walker 120. It mimics a mullet to a tee and the “walk the dog: type action is just right. Look for large concentrations of mullet and toss your plugs around them. There's sure to be a redfish lurking around looking for an easy snack. Once the sun gets higher in the sky, I like to switch to a search bait this time of year. One of my go-to search lures as of late, has been the Berkley Stick Shad. You can cast it a mile and the redfish have been absolutely crushing it over the winter months, and now early spring.

April has always been a great “gator” trout month for me. A topwater plug will account for some of

the bigger trout catches this month. The outgoing tide along the ICW banks should be loaded with trout, especially if the baitfish are around. Once the day heats up a bit, I like to fish a 1/4-ounce jighead paired with a soft plastic, like a Gulp shrimp or paddle tail for the trout. Use a twitch-twitch-pause method and most of the time they'll hit it on the pause. A free-lined live shrimp with a small pinch weight a few inches above it, is a great way to catch some trout too.

The inlets will come alive with all kinds of fast hitting fish this month. Look for jacks, blues, ladyfish, and Spanish Macs to be on the feed around all the area inlets. Crankbaits, spoons, and just about anything that's moving fast through the water will catch these fish.

Nearshore, the cobia will be along the beaches following the manta rays. The magic water temp seems to be somewhere between the high 60s and low 70s. Pick a calm sunny day and have your shot at some of the most fun sight-fishing Northeast Florida has to offer. Also, be sure to bring a few live shrimp when hitting the beach, as there may be a few tripletail hanging around as well.

Capt. Tommy Derringer

www.InshoreAdventures.net

904-377-3734

Topwater Lures for Big Spring Snook and Trout

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

Are you tired of catching tons of 13 inch speckled trout and 16 inch snook?

It’s time for you to switch to a big top water lure to catch big springtime sh. A walk-the-dog type of lure is an excellent choice. I like Zara Super Spooks, Mirrolure Top Dogs and Rapala Skitterwalks the best. Make sure to choose a lure that is at least four inches long. Hungry springtime sh are ready to eat a big meal as the water temperatures rise.

A larger lure has many advantages over smaller baits. e larger pro le and length creates more vibrations to attract monster sh from long distances. A larger lure allows you to cover more water because you can make longer casts. A larger lure also discourages most of the smaller sh from biting. You will catch fewer sh but they will be of much better quality.

e best topwater lure colors for speckled trout and snook are silver and white. Choose lures with silver or white sides

Pro Tip #1: Do yourself and the sh a favor and smush down the barbs on your treble hooks. You won’t lose any sh as long as you keep the line tight. e hooks will also come out of the sh and your hand much more easily.

and bellies. e back color doesn’t really matter because the sh will hit from under and behind the lures. e best retrieves for a walk-the-dog lure includes a pause every ten feet or so. Quite o en you will get a vicious reaction bite right a er the pause.

Pro Tip #2: e best leader material for walk-the-dog lures is mono lament. Mono lament line oats versus uorocarbon line that will sink and negatively a ect your topwater lure’s action. A short heavy leader, 12 to 15 inches is a great choice. Long leaders will o en negatively a ect your lure presentation. Many shermen believe that you can’t use topwater lures in the middle of the day. But they are wrong. You can use a topwater lure all day and catch huge speckled trout and snook. Topwater lures do work the best in low light scenarios. It can be sunrise or sunset but cloudy or stormy days are also great times to use big topwater lures. If you nd a school of mullet, cast your topwater lure just outside of the school. You want to make it easy for the snook and trout to distinguish your lure from the rest of the school.

Spring is a great time to catch huge snook and speckled trout with big topwater lures. ese sh need to fatten up again a er fasting through much of the winter. ey would rather eat one large calorie meal than have to chase a bunch of small sh around for the same caloric input.

Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters, is an inshore shing guide who has been shing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass ats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact@ shyourasso .com or visit shyourasso .com.

= approximately 8”

(10) year

L O S CLUB

First

APRIL ON THE FLATS: WHEN SPRING HITS ITS STRIDE

If March is the warmup, April is go time.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Longer days, greener water, and steady warming trends ip the inshore switch from “transition” to “feed.” e bait is thicker, the tides feel stronger, and the sh are no longer just staging — they’re hunting. April is when things start getting fun in a hurry. e key word this month is movement. By April, speckled trout are pushing onto reefs, sandbars, and grass edges with more consistency. Red sh are cruising shorelines, ooded grass, and marsh drains with purpose. Flounder settle into ambush points along drop-o s and current seams. Water temperature swings aren’t as drastic as early spring, but bait movement tied to tides becomes critical. Instead of asking where the warmest water is, start asking: Where is the cleanest moving water? Where is bait being pushed? Where is current creating ambush points? Points, drains, and wind-blown shorelines shine in April. If water is moving and bait is present, predators won’t be far away.

Unlike the slower mid-a ernoon bites of late winter, April o en rewards early risers. at rst light window can be electric — especially on calm mornings with bait dimpling the surface. is is when topwaters re-enter the rotation in a serious way. ere’s nothing subtle about an April blowup. But don’t force it. If sh are swiping and missing, switch to a so plastic or suspending bait and clean up the followers.

April sh are more aggressive, but they’re still opportunistic. Paddle tails, shrimp imitations, and swimbaits all shine, especially when worked with a con dent, steady retrieve. Water clarity should dictate your approach. In cleaner water natural colors and subtle action are key. In stained water, vibration and contrast matter more. If sh are chasing, cover water. If they’re following but not committing, slow down and add pauses. Let the sh tell you what they want.

April breezes can stack bait against shorelines and points. Wind creates feeding lanes. Instead of hiding from it, position yourself to use it. Dri with it. Fish into it. Work the edges it creates. Wind plus tide plus bait equals opportunity.

Next trip, challenge yourself by starting on a wind-blown shoreline and working it thoroughly. en move to a protected drain and compare activity. Pay attention. Which has more bait? Which has more strikes? Fishing in April is less about luck and more about reading conditions in real time.

April feels alive. e marsh hums. Birds dive. Mullet scatter. e sun carries warmth instead of warning. It’s the month where con dence returns, patterns stabilize, and sh feed longer and harder. Somewhere between the rst cast and the last dri , you’ll remember why spring inshore shing is hard to beat. e water’s warming and the sh are moving. Are you taking a kid shing?

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor and owner of Knockin Tail Lures® — https://knockintaillures.com.

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Hello Spring!

TIM BAREFOOT

It’s o!cial…say hello to spring. Anglers can now look forward to targeting a wide variety of species, including black n tuna, wahoo, African pompano, and many other sought-a er sh. With these species actively feeding during their migration north, the opportunities for successful catches are abundant. Whether you prefer trolling, dri ing, or bottom shing, the spring months bring a wealth of options to ll your cooler with quality sh.

e troll bite will probably die as soon as the sun gets up around the nine or ten o’clock timeframe. is is when you need to change tactics. Stop trolling. Put the trolling motor over and start making strategic dri s with the light line out while bottom shing. I would also suggest putting a couple baits out under the kite, as this is the most e ective presentation with very little to no leader in the water. Have at least one person dedicated to the kite baits, if you’re shing a kite. is is one of the best times of the year to spend the night, especially here in North Carolina, as the night bite could be crazy good. Put the bright lights out and you will draw the squid, cigar minnows, sardines, and all the predators to you like moths to a porch light. If you have the ability to spend the night, April could be the month you see the ultimate results. Everything including ying sh are very susceptible to a Sibiki rig. Fill the live well with live baits and start shing on the daylight bite. Fish are like us; they like to eat breakfast and dinner, so be there early and late.

Be sure to keep an eye on the recorder while on the dri for the mid water marks. In addition to shing for the snappers, have rods at the ready for sh that show on the recorder way o the bottom. ese may very well be the African pompano, so have a rod ready with a jig that you can re down and erratically jig upwards 25 to 50 feet o the bottom and then let ascend back to the bottom. Repeat over and over as this will get bites! It’s not just African pompano that frequent these deeper waters. During the middle of the day, wahoo can be found surprisingly deep, and tuna also inhabit these depths. It only takes a few wahoo, black n or pompano to make a great box of sh to take home. is is also a good time to target the smaller snapper with smaller baits on “chicken rigs” with small circle hooks. When you’re on a good bite (using small circle hooks) I would strongly recommend feeling the bite, winding tight to it and stopping. is is when another snapper will jump on the second bait. You will load up quickly with delicious groceries when you’re catching two at a time.

Bring the heat… It’s on!

Learn more tips and techniques at barefootcatsandtackle.com and on Barefoot’s YouTube channel: @timbarefoot5698.

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CRAPPIEFISHINGONKENTUCKYLAKE

By Julie Graham- ExploreTRV

Spring

As the last bite of winter gives way to the gentle stirrings of spring, Kentucky Lake comes alive. Located along the western edge of the Bluegrass State, this sprawling body of water—technically a reservoir—has long been a mecca for anglers, especially those in search of springtime crappie.

Kentucky Lake stretches a remarkable 184 miles from the Tennessee state line to the northernmost point at the Kentucky Dam making it the largest reservoir in the state and one of the largest in the U.S. e lake was formed in 1944 with the completion of the Kentucky Dam, a key project by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Today, the lake covers over 160,000 acres, with an average depth of 8-10 feet, though some areas reach even deeper. Its shoreline stretches over 2,000 miles, o ering countless coves, islands, and inlets that make it a paradise for anglers. Fishing enthusiasts quickly discovered the lake’s potential as a world-class destination for crappie, bass, and cat sh, earning it a reputation that has only grown over the decades. Feeding Kentucky Lake are several major tributaries (Blood River, Jonathan Creek, Big Sandy River) that become shing hotspots in early spring, especially where submerged timber

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and man-made structures provide cover. Every seasoned angler in this region knows spring is crappie season. As water temperatures creep into the low 60s, crappie begin their migration from deep winter haunts to shallow spawning grounds— brush piles, stumps, and submerged structures along the shoreline. Preferred bait and techniques vary by angler, but some classics stand the test of time. Live minnows, o en rigged under a slip oat, are a go-to for many, especially during the pre-spawn. Jig shing is equally e ective, with popular choices like 1/16 or 1/32 oz. so plastics in chartreuse, white, and monkey milk colors. When the bite gets tough, tipping jigs with a small minnow or switching to hand-tied hair jigs can coax hesitant sh. Long-line trolling and spider rigging also dominate certain sections of the lake, especially in the deeper channels near creek mouths.

Mornings on the lake feel almost sacred this time of year. Fishermen, some in sleek bass boats, others in aluminum ski s passed down through generations, fan out across coves and creek arms, quietly working the banks. e goal is the same: feel the tap of a crappie on the line, set the hook, and haul in what many call the “gold of the lake.” For many, the draw of spring crappie shing isn’t just the thrill of the bite. It’s also the chance to connect with the natural rhythm of the season while sitting in a quiet cove as the dogwoods bloom, passing along stories, rods, and values to the next generation. At its core, Kentucky Lake is more than a reservoir. It’s a living, breathing legacy—a place where history, sport, and stewardship come together on every cast.

For more information on shing licenses and regulations, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website - fw.ky.gov - or the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website - www.tn.gov/twra.html.

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