Capt Corner, Gorta

The Tampa Bay Times

Small schools of redfish are starting to work their way back onto the flats.  I finally came across a school on two charters last week.  This hopefully marks the start of the redfish season. High tides in the afternoon will make it easier to get close enough to reds, they are very spooky when the cooler water is very clear. Start out in the mornings on low tide by working the edges of sandbars and flats around Pinellas point. Casting quarter ounce jig rigged with soft plastic tails has produced many numbers of species.  Trout, bluefish, ladyfish, pompano have provided a lot of fast action. The key to success is to work as much water as possible.  Once the tide gets high enough, I switch gears and will work my way onto the flats looking for redfish. I have had to take great care in my approach on schools of reds, clear water and lower tides can make redfish very spooky.  Slowly work onto a flat and wait for reds to come to you as the tide rises.  If fish run into the bait on their own, they almost always eat what you have to offer.  Once the tide is almost at its high point, I will move and follow the reds as they move to deeper water.

Redfish will eat just about anything when the presentation is right.   If the tide is low, I like to use shrimp.  This bait will cast easy and will land soft on the water; this is key to prevent from spooking the fish.  If the tide is high, pinfish, greenbacks, whitebaits, finger mullet, and creek chubs will all work.