http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/Captain-s-Corner-Cooler-weather-should-bring-hot-fishing_172947136

We are finally starting to see a change in the weather pattern. A cool front this past weekend appears to have opened the corridor for the changing of the seasons. With another front expected this weekend, the stage will be set for a stretch of some banner fishing. Redfish and snook are closed for possession until May, trout however remain open. Plenty of good sized trout can be found patrolling the deeper grass flats where pockets of fry bait are holding. Drift these open areas while casting soft plastic jigs and a popping cork. White and silver glitter have been the top colors. Spanish mackerel can be seen harassing areas of fry bait that are holding around all of the bay bridges as well as over any of the artificial structures, including reefs and range markers. Target mackerel by either trolling small spoons or anchor fishing with live pilchards. Mangrove snapper are schooled up along the bay bridges and artificial reefs. Chumming with cut-up pilchards lures snapper away from the structure and toward the surface. Free-line or lightly weight your bait and present it just like a piece of chum. Snook fishing has been very good, especially earlier in the day. Target the incoming tide around causeway rocks and creek mouths. Despite any real cool weather to this point, some larger fish are starting to show up in the backwaters.

Tyson Wallerstein runs Inshore Fishing Charters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area and can be reached at (727) 692-5868 and via email at flatsmonster.com.

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