The Gulf
Spring mackerel season is here, and April is usually when things really start to build. Spanish mackerel push along the coast in force, concentrating around inlets and the shoals just offshore, though you'll find them scattered pretty much everywhere.
The best zone shifts week to week based on water color and where the baitfish are stacking. You might be in 20 feet of water a mile out, or running 30 miles offshore to find blue water closer to 100 feet. A quick stop at Fishin Franks or Downtown Bait 'N Tackle before you head out is always worth it.
Bottom fishing holds up well this month too. Red grouper, lane snapper, and mangrove snapper are all producing on structure and reefs. April's warming water is also the trigger that brings tarpon into play, with the bite strengthening as the month progresses. Pilchards, threadfins, pinfish, and shrimp are the live bait choices local captains keep coming back to for spring and reef species alike. Don't be surprised if big jacks, barracudas, or sharks show up wherever the mackerel are feeding because the same bait schools draw a crowd.
Charlotte Harbor
April is a defining month for inshore fishing in Charlotte Harbor. Warmer water and fresh bait movement bring the whole estuary to life, with fish concentrating near passes, channels, mangrove shorelines, and bait-rich edges.
Tarpon are the main event. They're arriving and feeding more aggressively as temperatures stabilize, with the mouth of the Myakka River and the deep mid-harbor holes worth your attention. Redfish and spotted seatrout round out the picture, and Spanish mackerel start showing up in harbor-adjacent waters as the month goes on.
One important note for snook anglers: snook remain closed in Charlotte Harbor this April. The fish are active and you will hook them, but they must be released. Live pilchards, threadfins, pinfish, mullet, and larger shrimp are the right baits for the moment. Focus on moving water and visible bait and you'll find fish.
