Well my trip is over and I'm back home. I only fished 3 mornings and I had a blast getting my yak in salty water for the first time ever and catching my first redfish in about 15 years. It was a rat, but still a Redfish. Thanks to everyone for their advice. I went into J&M Tackle to buy some more lures and hopefully talk to some locals about the area and met Ralph, a guide for Fishin Dixie. What a nice guy he is!! He's been fishing the Lagoon for almost 50 years so he was able to give me some advice and his advice was gold. I can't say enough of how friendly he and willing to help he was toward me. You just can't get that kind of help from big box stores, that's why I like local businesses.
First morning, I wasted hours coasting across flats standing up in my kayak sight fishing for redfish like I used to do off the South Florida coast. All I saw were stingrays haha. I hadn't yet met Ralph who told me that is a waste of time. On the way back home I did catch a really nice speck, 20.5" on a slightly modified spinnerbait used for bass but with a Chicken on a Chain color 4 inch Sea Shad on it and without the spinnerbait skirt used when bass fishing. Only fish of the morning but it sure made a delicious lunch for me and my wife.
After talking to Ralph and getting advice I was fired up to get out the next morning and I had a much better day. I caught several smaller specks and sand trout, and the first redfish I have caught in about 15 years since I moved to TN. I had caught seatrout about 4 years ago in a trip to Florida but no reds. Not a big red but it made me happy.
Third morning was the best and the pic below will show you why! The wind was brutal, I was getting blown all over the place. Next time I come down I'm bringing an anchor. I had a few short strikes and a few small ladyfish and then I had this beast of a speck hit the spoon. This is my personal best speck at 26", Gator!! Two delicious meals for me and the wifey off this big girl. By the way, the spoon was tipped with a Gulp white curly tail grub. That's a trick my Father and I used to use back in the South Florida days and it still works!
I never did get the larger redfish I was hoping for but that speck made the fishing part of my vacation very satisfactory! Of course, the rest of this area is amazing as well. My dog loves the ocean and my wife an I love the area. We had such a great time and are considering making this an annual Summer vacation. I'll get my Redfish next time!