Captain Corner: Brian Caudill

The Tampa Bay Times

Nearshore action has been the way to go with soaring water temperatures on the flats. The early morning redfish bite has been decent and the small trout are voracious on the moving tide near the passes. Snook are still on the beach along the rocks, jetties and troughs near the shoreline, but not in great numbers as years past. Smaller male snook are in better numbers than the larger females lately. Live chumming is still a good way to get them popping and hopefully to cooperate. The water has been very clear with a light east wind so downsizing tackle will improve the bite.  When the action inside is slow, I have been running 5 to 8 miles west hitting some of the artificial reefs and rocky ledges especially when there are kids involved. However, it’s common for the adults to smile too when we are catching a fish on almost every drop. Cut squid pieces are getting red grouper, seabass, grunts, mangrove snapper and triggerfish. Small sardines are getting mostly grouper and larger grunts. Even a few spanish mackerel on flat line baits. Ladyfish are gathering closer to the shore within 2 miles. Although they can be an annoyance at times, they do make for great shark and redfish baits when cut into chunks. Every year when heat can be oppressive, tactics must be changed to find the action. Having the ability and tackle to scoot offshore can save the day.

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