Fresh Grant-Valkaria Fishing Reports

Early morning bite was decent despite challenging conditions. Water temps hit 90 degrees in the river. Highlights included a 20" trout and a snook in a dock string, as well as a redfish on the edge of a grass flat. Bait activity was low.

I’ve been having a blast targeting big snook on the flats and tarpon in deeper water, mostly using artificial lures. It’s a challenge, but the rewards are well worth it. My fishing schedule has been a mix of morning and night trips, and I’ve found that larger snook and reds tend to congregate on flats with abundant baitfish. Keep an eye out for diving birds and spooky baitfish schools – these are usually good indicators of predator activity. Topwaters and paddle tails have been my go to lures, with 5″ topwaters and 3″ paddle tails producing the best results. When targeting tarpon, I’ve been focusing on areas with steep dropoffs, such as the ICW and dredged out areas around docks. While I haven’t gotten any tarpon to hit topwater yet, they’ve been loving the small paddle tail worked slow and steady. My favorite lures have been the Heddon Chug N Spook and Z-Man MinnowZ, particularly in Hot Snakes color. Tight lines!

I’ve been having a blast targeting big snook on the flats and tarpon in deeper water, mostly using artificial lures. It’s a challenge, but the rewards are well worth it. My fishing schedule has been a mix of morning and night trips, and I’ve found that larger snook and reds tend to congregate on flats with abundant baitfish. Keep an eye out for diving birds and spooky baitfish schools – these are usually good indicators of predator activity. Topwaters and paddle tails have been my go to lures, with 5″ topwaters and 3″ paddle tails producing the best results. When targeting tarpon, I’ve been focusing on areas with steep dropoffs, such as the ICW and dredged out areas around docks. While I haven’t gotten any tarpon to hit topwater yet, they’ve been loving the small paddle tail worked slow and steady. My favorite lures have been the Heddon Chug N Spook and Z-Man MinnowZ, particularly in Hot Snakes color. Tight lines!

Last night's adventure on the water was a thrilling reminder that even after a week of cold and windy weather, the snook are always waiting. With the moon nearly full, I set out to see if I could stir up some action. As I cruised along the mangroves, the silence was oppressive. Cast after cast, I waited for a sign of life, but the water remained still and unresponsive. The minutes ticked by, and I began to wonder if I'd made a mistake coming out. But then, a lone mullet jumped in the distance, shattering the stillness. My heart skipped a beat - finally, a sign of life! I quickly made my way over to the area and started casting. A few more splashes guided me to a small point, where I made a cast that would change everything. The moment I hooked up with that monster snook, adrenaline flooded my body. The battle was intense - she took off like a rocket, making one of the longest runs I've ever seen from a snook. My heart was racing, but I managed to keep my cool, and after a few more runs and head shakes, I landed her under the moonlit sky.

Happy New Year! I wrapped up 2024 with an exciting guided trip for Todd from Massachusetts. We braved the early morning fog and were rewarded with an unforgettable fishing experience. Hitting the water before dawn, we started our day by picking up a few small snook along the mangroves. As the sun rose, we moved to a wind-protected shoreline, where Todd landed a beautifully stained backwater snook. It was a great way to end the year, and I'm looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings!

The sheepshead bite has been absolutely on fire lately! Key target areas have been along mangrove shorelines and under docks, yielding catches of up to 20”! These strong fighters put up quite a challenge when trying to pull them out from structure, making for an exhilarating experience.