Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge Weather Forecast
Fishing reports straight from our guides in Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
It is hot, but that is normal for July and no reason not to fish! Fishing can be great this time of year, you just need to stay hydrated and watch out for those summer storms.
As far as trout fishing goes, once the water really starts warming up, they have the tendency to move to deeper water. However, you can still catch them in the 4-6’ depth especially early in the morning or if the bar is near deeper water. If you are going to fish water deeper than 6’, I would recommend getting rid of the popping cork....
As far as trout fishing goes, once the water really starts warming up, they have the tendency to move to deeper water. However, you can still catch them in the 4-6’ depth especially early in the morning or if the bar is near deeper water. If you are going to fish water deeper than 6’, I would recommend getting rid of the popping cork....
As far as trout fishing goes, once the water really starts warming up, they have the tendency to move to deeper water. However, you can still catch them in the 4-6’ depth especially early in the morning or if the bar is near deeper water. If you are going to fish water deeper than 6’, I would recommend getting rid of the popping cork.
I would also not get too caught up on where the fish ‘should be’…..I have found that we can have the best ideas about where the fish should be based on history, but the bottom line is that you just have to get out there and work through some spots to locate them.
Look for bait pods, moving water, clean water, etc. These are clues to finding fish. Oddly enough, I look for cormorants. When I see these birds working an area, I will sometimes stop regardless if I have ever fished there or not. Those birds are there because there is bait there. If there is bait there, then there should be some predator fish there.
Redfish are around the islands and bars. You just have to keep moving to find them. The spot where you caught them yesterday may work today too but don’t get hung up on it. Be ready to move if you are not getting bit.
Bass fishing is also great this time of year. Lots of topwater action, especially on Orange Lake. I ran a trip there recently and the buzz bait and Zara Spook were doing the trick. I love watching bass blow up on topwater.
Good luck out there!
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Black drums and reds are chewing
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Reds are biting
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Even with the crazy weather patterns, the fish are doing their thing and pretty much getting in their spring patterns. May is here and hopefully the weather will level out and get more
consistent.
Spotted trout can be caught on the flats in 3’-6’ of water. The normal popping cork, 3’ mono leader and 1/8 oz jig head will do the trick. I usually use a Sea Shad by Bass Assassin but any bait with a swim action will work. Green Moon and Stinky Pink are normally my go to colors. However, lately, due to all the wind, the water...
consistent.
Spotted trout can be caught on the flats in 3’-6’ of water. The normal popping cork, 3’ mono leader and 1/8 oz jig head will do the trick. I usually use a Sea Shad by Bass Assassin but any bait with a swim action will work. Green Moon and Stinky Pink are normally my go to colors. However, lately, due to all the wind, the water...
consistent.
Spotted trout can be caught on the flats in 3’-6’ of water. The normal popping cork, 3’ mono leader and 1/8 oz jig head will do the trick. I usually use a Sea Shad by Bass Assassin but any bait with a swim action will work. Green Moon and Stinky Pink are normally my go to colors. However, lately, due to all the wind, the water has been a little stirred up. If the normal plastics are not getting it done, switch to Gulp Shrimp. When the water is dirty, the scent of the Gulp baits can improve the bite.
Redfish are being a little inconsistent but that is just due to the weather. With the weather getting more consistent, the redfish bite will improve. For artificial bait, you can’t beat a gold spoon. I like the Aqua Dream brand spoon but there are plenty of other brands that will do the job. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits will be good choices too.
For live or cut bait, mullet is top on my list. My normal rig is a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce weight with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook. Mud minnows can be a game changer as well.
Snook are showing up but the season will close May 1st. Catch and release only May 1-August 31.
Get out on the water and have some fun with friends and family. Great friendships, connections and memories are made on the water.
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October has been a great month to fish. It truly has been ‘red October’. The redfish bite has been on fire.
November will bring some cold front patterns but the bite should stay strong. Just be patient. After a big cold front, the fish may be more lethargic than usual so you may have to fish artificial bait a little slower than you like.
Live shrimp and cut mullet will still be good for redfish as well.
You may have to start looking to the creek mouths for fish as the water gets colder. A popping cork rig will help...
November will bring some cold front patterns but the bite should stay strong. Just be patient. After a big cold front, the fish may be more lethargic than usual so you may have to fish artificial bait a little slower than you like.
Live shrimp and cut mullet will still be good for redfish as well.
You may have to start looking to the creek mouths for fish as the water gets colder. A popping cork rig will help...
November will bring some cold front patterns but the bite should stay strong. Just be patient. After a big cold front, the fish may be more lethargic than usual so you may have to fish artificial bait a little slower than you like.
Live shrimp and cut mullet will still be good for redfish as well.
You may have to start looking to the creek mouths for fish as the water gets colder. A popping cork rig will help keep you off the oyster bars.
Thankfully, our cold fronts don’t last too long and it can be back in the 80s pretty quick this time of year.
I know I keep saying this but just in case.....keep in mind that the redfish laws changed as of September 1st. Go to the myfwc website to get the latest info depending on the region you fish.
The trout bite is starting to pick up. The water in Cedar Key is still a bit dirty but the trout are getting on the flats. Just keep working spots until you find them.
Stay safe and be blessed!
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This couple limited today.
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Fall is so close you can almost taste it...well you can feel it in the air a little. I love this time of year-pumpkin spice lattes, fall decorations...nope! I love this time of year because the temps get more bearable, and the fishing gets great. September and October are probably my favorite months to fish.
The redfish bite in Cedar Key is getting right. They school up this time of year and if you find one then there are probably more. Give them some time to eat. Shrimp, mullet and artificial lures are the way to go.
Keep in mind...
The redfish bite in Cedar Key is getting right. They school up this time of year and if you find one then there are probably more. Give them some time to eat. Shrimp, mullet and artificial lures are the way to go.
Keep in mind...
The redfish bite in Cedar Key is getting right. They school up this time of year and if you find one then there are probably more. Give them some time to eat. Shrimp, mullet and artificial lures are the way to go.
Keep in mind that the redfish laws changed as of September 1st. Go to the myfwc website to get the latest info depending on the region you fish.
I like to look for moving water. Anything where water is getting pushed or funneled through is a good place to start. If water is getting funneled through a tight spot, then bait is getting funneled through that same spot and bigger fish know that.
I also like to look for bait getting hit. If I see a lot of bait getting pushed around a natural funnel spot, then it can be a like a gold mine..or a redfish mine.
The trout bite has picked up some. The normal popping cork rig will work. Just keep searching the flats and you should pick them up. They should get better as the water temps cool down some. I still run with the Bass Assassin Sea Shad in a Green Moon color or a Stinky Pink color.
Enjoy some football and some fishing over the next few months. In an effort to multi task, you can always listen to the game on the radio while you are fishing!!
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