Catching Spillway Snook, Tarpon, and Crappie with Mike O'Gorman of Ramp Monsters Using the Banjo Minnow in Central Florida

If you're into freshwater and saltwater fishing, especially targeting aggressive species like snook, tarpon, and crappie, you're in for a treat. In this action-packed adventure, Mike O'Gorman of Ramp Monsters heads to the spillways of Central Florida to test out the legendary Banjo Minnow. While some might consider the Banjo Minnow a gimmick, Mike shows us how effective it can be, proving that this unconventional lure still has plenty of game, especially in these dynamic Central Florida waters.

The Central Florida Spillways: A Prime Fishing Spot

Central Florida is home to a variety of spillways, which serve as natural intersections between freshwater lakes and brackish water systems. These spillways often funnel water from lakes or canals, creating fast currents that attract predatory fish like snook and tarpon. These aggressive hunters take advantage of the baitfish and other aquatic life that gets swept into the currents, making these areas prime locations for anglers.

In addition to the big predators, spillways are also home to freshwater favorites like crappie, making them versatile fishing spots. The diversity of fish in these waters provides a unique challenge, and Mike O'Gorman shows us how the Banjo Minnow can be used to catch all three species—snook, tarpon, and crappie.

The Banjo Minnow: Is It Just Hype?

The Banjo Minnow has a bit of a reputation in the fishing world. Marketed heavily in the 90s through infomercials, this soft plastic lure claims to mimic the erratic movements of an injured baitfish, triggering a predatory response from fish. While some anglers view it as a novelty, Mike O'Gorman proves that in the right hands, this lure can be a deadly tool.

The key to the Banjo Minnow's success is its versatility and lifelike action. It’s designed to be rigged weedless, which is perfect for spillways, where you often deal with submerged vegetation, rocks, and other snags. Mike demonstrates how its darting, unpredictable motion can trigger strikes from fish that might otherwise ignore more conventional lures.

Catching Snook with the Banjo Minnow

Snook are known for being voracious predators, particularly in fast-moving water. They position themselves in ambush spots around structure, waiting for baitfish to get swept through the spillway currents. Mike quickly finds success using the Banjo Minnow, casting it into the swift waters and working it back with short, jerky motions. The lure’s erratic darting mimics the movement of a panicked baitfish, exactly what snook look for when hunting.

Mike stresses the importance of reading the current and positioning your cast just right. In spillways, snook often hold in eddies and along current breaks, waiting for food to be brought to them. By casting just upstream and letting the Banjo Minnow drift naturally with the current, Mike is able to tempt snook out of their hiding spots. The Banjo Minnow’s lifelike action and ability to dart unpredictably trigger aggressive strikes, and it isn’t long before Mike hooks into several hard-fighting snook.

Targeting Tarpon with the Banjo Minnow

If there’s one fish that knows how to put up an unforgettable fight, it’s the tarpon. Known as the "Silver King" for their size and incredible aerial acrobatics, tarpon are a bucket-list fish for many anglers. While many people associate tarpon fishing with live bait or large, flashy lures, Mike proves that the Banjo Minnow can do the job just as well.

In Central Florida spillways, smaller tarpon often congregate during high-water events, taking advantage of the baitfish being flushed through. Tarpon feed aggressively in these conditions, and Mike capitalizes on this by casting the Banjo Minnow near structure and letting it drift naturally with the flow.

After a few casts, Mike hooks into a tarpon. The tarpon immediately launches into the air, tail-walking across the water as it tries to shake the hook. Mike expertly plays the fish, using the Banjo Minnow’s unique design to keep the tarpon hooked during its powerful jumps. The excitement is palpable, as these fish are notorious for breaking off or throwing the hook, but with the right technique and lure, Mike manages to bring the tarpon to shore.

Crappie in Spillways? Yes, You Can Catch Them Too

You wouldn’t normally think of targeting crappie, a freshwater panfish, in the same waters as snook and tarpon, but Central Florida’s spillways offer an unusual overlap of species. Crappie often congregate around the same structure that snook and tarpon use for ambush points, particularly in areas where the water slows and eddies form.

Mike switches up his technique slightly when targeting crappie, using a smaller-sized Banjo Minnow and a slower, more deliberate retrieve. Crappie are less aggressive than snook or tarpon but can still be tempted by the realistic action of the Banjo Minnow, especially when it’s fished near structure where they like to hide.

The result? A successful day pulling crappie out of the same waters where snook and tarpon were biting earlier. It’s a reminder of the versatility of the Banjo Minnow and the rich diversity of Central Florida’s spillway fishing.

Why the Banjo Minnow Works in Central Florida Spillways

The Banjo Minnow’s lifelike action and weedless design make it an ideal lure for spillway fishing in Central Florida. Here’s why it excels:

  1. Realistic Action: The Banjo Minnow’s darting and erratic movement closely mimics the behavior of an injured baitfish, which triggers a predatory response in species like snook, tarpon, and crappie. Its soft plastic construction allows for natural movement in the water, whether you’re retrieving it quickly or slowly.

  2. Weedless Design: Spillways are notorious for having submerged vegetation, rocks, and other potential snags. The Banjo Minnow’s weedless rigging allows it to glide through these obstacles without getting hung up, making it perfect for targeting fish that are holding tight to structure.

  3. Versatility: The Banjo Minnow can be used in both freshwater and saltwater environments, making it an excellent choice for spillway fishing where a variety of species can be found. Whether you’re targeting snook, tarpon, or crappie, the Banjo Minnow can adapt to different fishing conditions and species.

Final Thoughts

Fishing Central Florida’s spillways can be an exciting and challenging experience, especially when you’re using a lure like the Banjo Minnow. As Mike O'Gorman of Ramp Monsters demonstrates, this versatile lure can be highly effective for catching snook, tarpon, and even crappie in these dynamic environments. While some may dismiss the Banjo Minnow as just another gimmick, Mike’s success on the water proves that, with the right technique and understanding of fish behavior, this lure is more than capable of landing impressive catches.

If you’re planning to fish the spillways of Central Florida, consider giving the Banjo Minnow a try. With its realistic action and adaptability, you might just find yourself hooking into some of the region’s most exciting fish species, just like Mike did. Whether you’re after a trophy snook or a hard-fighting tarpon, the Banjo Minnow could be your secret weapon for a day of unforgettable fishing.

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