11/3/2016

Cooler water has ushered in some great fishing. Offshore, the mackerel bite has been incredible over the rocks of the nearshore artificial reefs. Longshank hooks will prevent cut offs from their sharp teeth. Mangrove snapper are also schooling up in the chum line as we draw in the mackerel while on anchor. Downsizing tackle and hiding the hooks in a piece of cut bait will get the most hook ups on the snapper. Kingfish have been chasing trolled threadfins over the hard bottom areas within 6 miles offshore. Light wire and a stinger hook attached the tail area of a trolled bait is the best method to keep them on for a lasting battle. Look for the bait schools dimpling the water to get a shot at hooking a king. The flats are providing lots of action with spotted sea trout moving in to north Pinellas County. Sardines are still available along the beaches but are getting sparse as the water continues to cool. Soft plastics are also working well with a 1/8 – 1/4 ounce jighead. Whites and greens are the best colors with very clear waters. Grass flats 3 – 5 feet deep are holding plenty of smaller trout and the spoil islands along the intercoastal are beginning to produce some of the larger female trout, typical in the area this time of year. Redfish have slowed slightly although the ones hooked are occasionally very large. This past week a client of mine caught one 38 inches from under the mangroves. These large ‘bull’ reds are usually located offshore where they continue to mature in the more open waters.

About the author:
My name is Brian Caudill and I am a Fishing Guide in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I provide guide services for West Central Florida including Tampa Bay and surrounding waters. It is my pleasure to work hard to put all of my clients in the right place for our targeted fish. I am very personable, patient, and easy going. I understand that the charter fishing experience on my boat is about the customer. I hope the following insight about me will help you learn more about my love for fishing.

Fishing for me began as a small child in the state of Kentucky. My earliest memories are of my father and I fishing streams, ponds, rivers and lakes for various species of small game fish such as Bluegill, Redeye (Rock bass), Crappie, Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, or anything else that would bite. Somehow though, Dad always seemed to catch more fish.

Upon moving to the Tampa Bay, Florida area in the late 80’s, my father, still living in Kentucky, would often encourage me to put my knowledge of fishing freshwater to use in the numerous lakes Florida has to offer. For some reason, I just couldn’t keep my mind off of the big fish swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and the backwater flats behind the barrier islands. So, with a few questions at the local bait shop, and the company of a couple local friends, I began to explore the inshore waters of West Central Florida.

As time passed, and my success in locating fish grew, I began entering some local tournaments. Without a boat, and with limited ways of keeping bait alive, I would trudge for hundreds of yards to the fishing holes. To my surprise, my friend Jim and I won a few of those tournaments. Consequently, the organizers would no longer allow us to fish without a boat, fearing some unfair advantage I suppose. So, now armed with the know how to catch these inshore species, I bought a boat and began fishing tournaments around Tampa Bay and all over the state. Some of those included two years on the Mercury/Ranger Professional Redfish Tour, CCA’s Red/Snook Series in Punta Gorda, Florida, as well as the many local events from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs.

Eventually, I decided to take the necessary steps required to receive a United States Coast Guard license to be a Charter Fishing Guide. Now, over sixteen years later, I still get a thrill from putting my customers where the fish are. It is a great joy to see the faces of children and adults alike experiencing what the Florida West Coast has to offer.

Capt. Brian

Brian Caudill
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