The Tampa Bay Times
Highwinds combined with low tides this week has made fishing a little challenging. The nearshore waters which were very productive for kingfish and mackerel are still rough so my focus has been inshore. Seeking shelter from the wind has been the key for success. The backcountry offers lots of structure however low tides in the middle of the day have made it difficult to access some areas. So, fishing the edges of the flats until the tide rises has been very effective. Dead sticking cut bait has been working well for redfish. The 2 to 3 foot depth along the edge of the flat is where I target first. Occasionally I will find sandy potholes that have enough depth to hold a few fish also. Trout are also gathering along the edges of the flats in deeper channels. Jerk worms, live sardines, and shrimp have been getting bites from trout, ladyfish, jacks, redfish and a few snook as well. The main shore from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs has been protected from the easterly winds. And as the tide rises, I’ve been working in to the bays and residential canals, fishing under docks and along seawalls. It’s always a learning experience and challenging conditions can make you think outside of the box to discover new areas that can hold fish and be used often through the winter when conditions become challenging.
- Captains Corner - March 23, 2024
- Brian Caudill - March 4, 2024
- Brian Caudill - December 5, 2023
