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.

Last night brought some steady wind, but I decided to make the most of it and see what the conditions would allow. The open areas were too rough to fish effectively, so I focused on the wind protected sides of a couple spoil islands. The first island was loaded with trout. I landed five solid fish, all over 15 inches, using a 3 inch paddle tail and a 4 inch topwater. These smaller lures matched the bait in the area perfectly and kept the action steady for a while. After a few good trout, I moved on to an area with more current flow and found a section of mangrove that created a natural break. That’s where I connected with a beautiful snook that put up an incredible fight, nearly pulling me into the trees before I managed to land her. A few more casts didn’t produce any extra bites, but by that time the wind had started to ease up, making for a calm ride back. Takeaways from the trip: • Focus on wind-protected zones when conditions get tough. • Match your lure size to the local bait. • Breaks in current near structure often hold the bigger fish.

Despite some early morning rain and heavy wind, we found a sheltered area and managed to get on a few nice fish! The highlight was this solid snook that made the rough weather worth it. One tarpon even tore right through my net — never a dull moment out there!

My morning started just before sunrise, working a mangrove shoreline that turned out to be quiet. I decided to move into a nearby backwater canal where I noticed a cloud of minnows flickering across the surface — always a good sign. I began casting a 3” paddle tail tight to the mangroves, hoping for a snook, when my rod suddenly doubled over. A large juvenile tarpon exploded from the water, shaking its head wildly before crashing back down. Adrenaline immediately kicked in. What followed was an intense battle filled with aerial acrobatics and powerful, drag-peeling runs. Eventually, she rolled on her side in defeat, and I was able to grab a quick photo before releasing her to fight another day. Moments like that remind me exactly why I love fishing these waters — pure chaos, excitement, and beauty all at once.

Got out early this morning and set my sights on the spoil islands. I started by rotating between a paddle tail and a topwater. The first island was quiet—hardly any bait or activity—so I didn’t stick around long. The second island told a different story, with plenty of life around. After a few casts, I landed a solid trout, followed shortly by a beautiful snook. I kept working the area hoping to connect with a few more snook, but they weren’t having it. Still, I managed to pick off a few more quality trout before wrapping things up. A quick trip, but a fun one with some nice fish to show for it.

The morning started off with some solid inshore catches—a trout, a redfish, and a couple of snook. But the real excitement came on the way back to the launch. I spotted a large school of jacks feeding aggressively and couldn’t resist throwing a topwater into the frenzy. Instantly, I was hooked up, and what followed was the battle of a lifetime. This jack would have been a serious fight from a boat, but from a kayak it was absolute chaos—pure power, drag screaming, and a test of endurance. Landing that fish was an awesome experience I won’t soon forget!