Fishing will also be somewhat affected by the rain and high water. The high water can make it difficult to find fish because it gives them a lot more water to venture into. Salinity levels also decrease due to the influx of freshwater. This becomes a big problem if you fish with live shrimp bought from a tackle shop because they are use to high salinity levels. If your lucky you’ll get 2 to 3 casts out of a live shrimp before it dies. River shrimp have begun to appear in cast nets of those that throw them so try locating your own. These shrimp are very hearty when it comes to our water conditions.
The fish themselves are not all that affected by salinity levels. Fish such as redfish, trout, snook and tarpon can live in very low salinity levels. Tarpon have a special bladder that allows them to gulp fresh air and breath it. At Bass Pro Shops in Orlando you can see freshwater and saltwater fish living in the same environment in the large fish tank they have on display.
Before all the rain settled in the fishing was just turning good. People on my boat were getting legal size redfish, trout, flounder, and mangrove snapper. Jacks, ladyfish and even some ribbonfish were also being caught. Most of the fish were on live shrimp and some on artificial baits. Most of the redfish were caught in shallow water fishing a live shrimp under a popping cork around oyster bars.
I like to use the weighted larger size white and orange popping corks, about 2 bucks at your local tackle shop. They give you more casting distance and are easier to see in the water because they sit upright. They are also easy on easy off and you can easily adjust the depth you fish the bait. Because of the ease of use it allows you to go from live lining a shrimp to bobber fishing without cutting and retying. You can also use them to fish cut bait. Give them a try next time your out.
