The zara spook is one of the river systems deadliest
baits and is notorious for drawing large strikes and catching big fish. This
bait has a wicked side to side action that mimics a wounded baitfish on the
surface trying to get away. When the top water strike is on and the big
fish can't let a free meal pass them by they will throttle this lure with a
vengeance.
The key to using the spook is to start the retrieve on a
slack
line of about a foot or less. You want to snap your rod tip back to draw the
slack out of the line. This will cause the lure to move either to the
right or left as it sits in the water. While your doing this you want to
pick up slack by slowly reeling but continue to keep about a foot or less of
slack in the line the whole time . Never pick up the slack 100%.
Recently, several of our B.F.R. staff members were given the opportunity
of a lifetime. On a beautiful, sunny April morning we took off out of
Melbounre airport on the Snoopy 2 blimp and cruised above some of our
favorite fishing locations. The flight was amazing! Some of our
photos include the Indian and Banana rivers, Dragon point, Mather's bridge,
Eau Gallie Causeway, Orange creek, Ballard park and the Indiatlantic
beaches. Seeing these places from the air reminds us why Brevard
county is one of Florida's fishing meccas. From a boat or
from the shore, the fishing here just can't be beat! We would like to
thank chief pilot, Chris Carlin, and the entire
Snoopy 2 crew for this awesome adventure.
To see the full set of pictures click
here.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission banned the harvest of
snook, tarpon and bonefish in response to the recent snap of cold weather, but
anglers may still catch and release these prized sportfish. The executive order,
which took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 16, 2010, will keep snook season closed
until September and bonefish and tarpon through March 31. But this doesn't mean
you can't go fishing. Just be sure you know how to properly release a fish.
This month's
lure: Jigs and
Swim Baits
Jigs and swim baits come in many different sizes and colors and to a beginner can be quite intimidating and confusing. Jigs and swim baits account for a large number of big redfish, trout and snook caught in the Indian and Banana river systems. These lures will also attract any other predatory fish that may be passing through such as jacks, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and tarpon.
To use these baits effectively you first need to know what the fish are feeding on and try to match that as closely as possible. Water clarity and depth are another important item to factor in. The weight of the jig head you will use is determined by water depth, the depth or column level that the fish are feeding at, and the speed and presentation of the lure. I have always found that when the water is clear natural color plastics work best. Choose silver, gold or white and pearl color lures. With darker or more stained waters I go with the bright colors such as electric chicken and any of the neon colors.
The three best presentations I have found to work are 1) under a cork such as the thunder stick 2) a steady paced slow retrieve at what ever depth that the fish are relating to 3) and last but not least the stop and go retrieve or a pumping retrieve with a swim and drop motion. The weight of your jig head is going to determine the speed in which you will have to work the bait. My rule of thumb is the shallower the water the lighter the lead head jig I want to use. This is something you will master with time and use of these fine fish catching baits. Good luck!
Tight Lines,
CRF
Visitors
Copyright 2010. Carlin.Sanders All Rights Reserved.
slack
line of about a foot or less. You want to snap your rod tip back to draw the
slack out of the line. This will cause the lure to move either to the
right or left as it sits in the water. While your doing this you want to
pick up slack by slowly reeling but continue to keep about a foot or less of
slack in the line the whole time . Never pick up the slack 100%
Jigs and swim baits account for a large number of big redfish, trout and snook caught in the Indian and Banana river systems. These lures will also attract any other predatory fish that may be passing through such as jacks, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and tarpon. 
you will use is determined by water depth, the depth or column level that the fish are feeding at, and the speed and presentation of the lure. I have always found that when the water is clear natural color plastics work best. Choose silver, gold or white and pearl color lures. With darker or more stained waters I go with the bright colors such as electric chicken and any of the neon colors.
