Trout, Snook & Tarpon Under the Lights

Started the morning with a short pre sunrise trip to beat the wind. Conditions were slow early with no bites until first light, when the trout bite picked up along the mangroves. That area produced around five quality trout in a short window. After that, I moved to look for snook but didn’t find any activity initially. While working back toward the trout area, the bite improved and produced a mixed bag. Landed two flounder, one nice snook, and picked up one more trout before wrapping up the trip. Fish were caught using a combination of paddle tails and artificial shrimp. Overall, a quick trip that turned into a solid mixed bag once the sun came up.

The backwater bite has been active, especially along the mangrove shorelines during the morning hours. Trout, snook, and small jacks have all been feeding tight to the mangroves, making accurate casts along the shoreline key to getting bites. On this morning’s trip, fish were showing strong interest in lures worked close to the mangroves. After one fish swiped at a lure and missed, slowing the retrieve and keeping it in the strike zone triggered a second aggressive strike and a solid hookup. The fish immediately tried to dive back into the mangroves, but after a strong fight it was successfully landed. Right now, the best approach is casting tight to the mangroves and working lures slowly through the strike zone, where multiple species are actively feeding. If you’re looking to target snook, trout, and other backwater species, the bite has been encouraging and should continue as conditions stay stable.

Despite a slow and challenging start, last night’s trip turned into a memorable one. I could hear fish feeding early on, but they were hesitant to commit, which required patience and several lure changes to dial things in. After working through a variety of baits, I finally found success downsizing to a 3 inch paddle tail. That adjustment produced a solid trout, followed shortly after by a strong snook that put up an impressive fight. Later in the trip, I hooked into a powerful fish that initially felt immovable before making long, drag-screaming runs toward the mangroves. Each time it approached the roots, it veered off and ran parallel, creating an intense battle that required careful boat control and steady pressure. Once brought close enough to identify, it turned out to be a massive redfish and a new personal best. Trips like this are a great reminder that even on slower nights, staying adaptable and patient can lead to exceptional results. Conditions may change, but the opportunities are always there.