On the north Indian River Lagoon, a slam is considered to be the fundamental goal of most shallow water flats anglers. Depending on the area you fish the species in the slam varies, but for us it's the successful catch and release of a redfish, sea trout, and a snook all in the same day. Now if the slam is the fundamental goal, the ultimate goal is the grand slam, a redfish, sea trout, snook, and tarpon all caught and released in the same day, and now is the best time of year to do just that. Both snook and tarpon are tropical species calling the IRL home during the summer, and here is how to structure your day to accomplish the IRL grand slam.
D.O.A. CAL and Chug Heads
First, target your sea trout very early in the morning before first light throwing a top water plug like the Storm Chug Bug or Rapala Skitter Walk if the widgeon grass isn't too thick. If the floating grass is problematic, switch to weedless top water soft plastic bait like the DOA CAL with a Chug Head. Focus your attention in areas of concentrated bait activity, especially along the deeper edges of sandbars and spoil islands.
Once you've accomplished the first leg, it is time to move up into the shallow flats and start looking for tailing redfish while the water's still glassy. Quietly work your way in towards the shallow water, and once you've located a school or tailing redfish, try working the CAL Tail across the surface quickly holding the rod tip high. With the recent heavy rainfall the Lagoon water levels are elevated and the water is usually dirty, so the redfish will often aggressively strike at what they think is a needle fish moving quickly across the top of the water. The purpose of holding your rod tip up high is twofold. First, it helps you keep your lure skipping across the top of the water. Second, when the fish strikes at the bait, you can quickly drop your rod tip giving it some slack and a chance to eat the bait before setting the hook.
Taylors No-Motor Zone Snook
Now that you've accomplished the second leg of your quest, it's time to move up in close to the shoreline in search of your snook and tarpon. Remember, water levels are high this time of year, so you shouldn't have a problem getting in close to the shoreline. The best areas to target are those with flowing water like culverts, creeks, or spillways. Also watch for showers of very small minnows near the edge of the shoreline and or grass line. Again throw the same CAL bait, only this time down size it a bit. Snook, tarpon, and ladyfish will all be staged in the discharges of these flowing waters, and once you've located the right spot, you shouldn't have a problem completing the slam. I know of two different anglers who made this accomplishment this past week, so give it a shot.
As always, if you have any questions or need more information, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
http://www.irl-fishing.com
407-366-8085 landline
407-416-1187 on the water
866-790-8081 toll free
Book a charter, and let's go fishing.
Visit http://www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for all of your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins
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