Floundering in full swing. No sunscreen required.
– Capt. Jeff Larson

Spring is springing into summer rather fast this year.  April was yet another great fishing month for the books.  April seemed to have some crazy weather patterns, didn’t ya think?  What I like to remind fishermen is right before those late northers and right after are some prime fishing.  Even as they are blowing in on us fish tend to really turn on and you can catch a limit real quick.  The problem fishing the norther is it becomes a mariners nightmare getting back to port.  We all have been out in ‘em.  The trip starts off as a good thought, then you start asking yourself what in the world am I doing out here in this crazy weather.  Heaven help you if you’re offshore.

April finished up with a bunch of nice trout caught on your favorite top water colors.  Throwing live and dead shrimp produced more game fish than those pesky  bait robbers. As the water temp keeps rising the hard heads will be a force to be reckoned with. Which brings to mind. Gafftop,  even though those slimy guys make a mess in the cooler, I found out once you look past all that you have a good table fair.  Wait don’t throw stones at me yet,  Gaffers put up a good fight, check, they slime, negative, they are considered a catch, fish in the box especially when you aren’t on your favorite species, that’s good, easier to clean than reds, sheep’s and drum, check.  Once clean, great fillet to fry and feed friend or foe.  Look, the positives out weigh the negatives.  I’m just suggesting if you have kids and they are only catching Gafftop.  Give those slimy son of a guns a chance, show a youngster you can eat ‘em. They are really good to eat and the biggest plus of all it built a memory, maybe not your favorite but a distinct memory.

Okay now for a sexier topic,  Trout and Reds in May.  May is a great month to catch fish and fill your freezers.  Big Sow Trout are almost done spawning and the smaller females are hungry like a wolf.  This time of year is almost magical.  No matter what your level of expertise you stand a great chance of catching a limit of both Trout and Reds with a bonus flounder or two.  New fishermen that wanna learn how to catch fish on top water baits, now is a good time.
Yesterday while my customers were throwing shrimp and a popping cork, I threw tops.  As luck would have it, I stayed toe to toe with my catch ratio.  But today, the ol shrimp and cork strategy out caught my 50 blow ups.  This is a lesson within itself.  When the fish aren’t closing on your top water and you want to put some in the box here is the time to switch.  Now if you love to watch ‘em smack it, nose it or just swirl on it, keep throwing your top.

Here’s a good tip for you when you are having a hard time deciding whether or not to throw a top water bait.  You ready, get your pencil out:  I never ever won a tournament weighing in a blow up.  Here’s another thought:  I never ever filleted a blow up, swirl, or a knocked out of the water bite. You get my drift, pun intended.

Hey, I love throwing tops and have thrown ‘em all day like you have.  But when I start missing em, I get on edge and I switch most of the time.  1 reason is cause, my wrist and elbows start hurting,  I say it’s cause I’m missing fish, cause I’m not admitting I’m getting older,  Hope you find all that humorous.
All kidding aside,  fishing and catching are in full swing.  Tournament Season is also upon us.  Keep your cool on the weekends, there are plenty of fish for everyone.  Just stay out of my spot,  just teasing.  That’s it I can’t stop the humor.

Scott is the Big Man on Campus at the Saltwater Lodge.  Give him a call and he will tailor your itinerary for your stay at the lodge. 361 785 3825.
Keep your baits on the hook, Lines in the water and Ice in your cooler,

Captain Jeff Larson
281 217 0399