BlueWater Outriggers Fishing Report 4-3-2026

These last couple of weeks have made me realize that my fishing addiction is back in full swing.  Wading around under the Tapper bridge last Tuesday I told myself, I probably wouldn't do any good; I was there merely for research purposes and gathering content for this report that I have to write every week.  It was much akin to an alcoholic telling himself there won’t be any harm in having just one beer.  Anyways, I was tossing my Zoom fluke with a 1/15oz Z-man Finesse Shroom Jighead, just getting ready to wrap it up and perhaps catch a much-needed nap, when I felt that all too familiar tap on the end of my line.  My arm reflexively shot into the air and firmly set the hook into something's mouth.  My ultralight reel immediately started screaming, but my free hand was already there making the necessary drag adjustments as if that move was just some sort of instinct coded into my DNA.  As the leader appeared from the murky water, my eyes widened when I realized that what I had on the other end of the line was a monster speckled trout. 

It was all downhill from there.  I never caught up on any of the sleep my body needed.  I started blowing money on more jigheads and soft plastics.  My truck is littered with empty tackle pouches, spools of leader material, and Bluewater receipts.  My poor son had to forego his trips to the park to watch me cast until the sun went down.  I tried to explain to him that it was common in many European countries not to eat dinner until 9:00, but his four-year-old brain and growling tummy didn’t seem to grasp the concept.  I finally realized I had hit rock bottom when I found myself trying to scheme a way to accept the fishing invitation that Captain Jake sent me for Easter.  It wouldn’t matter to my son if I was not present on Easter morning, right?  He’d be happy just to get the easter basket full of candy and toys...right?

Folks, things are starting to make a turn for the better since the gloomy days of red tide reports and fish kills.  The bay is starting to show signs of life again!  The Spanish mackerel are thick as thieves and many anglers are leaving with their limits.  David Payne (above left) can attest to that as he got his limit (above center) on several occasions.  Plenty of redfish are still being caught, and there are whispers of pompano starting to trickle into the store.   I would not discount the pompano talk because I caught a bruiser just a couple of days ago fishing under the bridge.   

There weren't too many days to go offshore this last week as the wind has been relentless.  Captain Jake did find one good day to head out for a deep drop and loaded up with an excellent variety of yellow edge grouper, beeliners, scamp, bearded brotula, and long tailed seabass.   He even managed to land a monster AJ (above right).  

 So, as I force a smile while I watch my boy open his easter basket in two days, you can bet my skin will be crawling while I wonder who filled my spot on Jake’s boat and what wonderful fish they are catching.  Perhaps I will second guess the nature of my relationship with Jake as well.  Is he just a good fishing buddy, or is he an enabler? 

Thanks for letting me share,