The Tampa Bay Times
August heat can make it challenging for catching fish on the flats. However, August is also a month we start to see a resurgence with redfish in our area. And this month is no exception. The redfish bite in the north Pinellas region is pretty steady, with a lot of large fish starting to move in. Reports from Tampa Bay are good as well which is a great sign for our stock. However some regulations are coming that will further protect the redfish population allowing them to bounce back even further. Increased recreational fishing over the last few years has definitely put a dent in the population. Red tide events haven’t helped either, and we’re lucky to have had a break from that deadly algae bloom. If the tide is low, the early bite is best before the water heats up, causing the fish to be a little more lethargic. Same for the evening bite. As the sun is lower in the sky and the temperatures fall, the redfish seem to forage more. However mid day high tides have been spectacular, especially when the fish can hide in the mangroves or at least in the shade of mangroves. Cut bait has been my preferred offering, such as ladyfish chunks, pinfish, mullet, or sardines. They all seem to get produce bites. However, you will find that in certain areas some baits work better than others. That’s why I always try to bring along a variety of baits to choose from. Large chunks of ladyfish and mullet will fly farther when cast, sometimes giving you the advantage of distance from a school of redfish.
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