The Tampa Bay Times
Another week of consistently higher north, and northeast winds has kept the intercoastal and nearshore waters churned up. Water clarity is pretty low and colder overnight temperatures have caused the water temperature to dip to the low 60s fairly rapidly. When this happens, tactics have to change to be successful on the water. I usually abandon the islands in the intercoastal exposed to the winds and focus on the back country, bays and canals, searching for clear, warmer water and structure to find fish. Finding live sardines to cast net can be difficult, so live shrimp and artificials begin to play a role. Fishing edges of flats, where deep water meets the shallow grasses can be very productive for locating predators, cruising the perimeter for food. Especially when the tides are low as they wait to push in towards seawalls, residential docks, and up onto oyster bars. Live shrimp get a lot of action this time of year since they are easy for predators to catch and not have to chase much. Redfish, snook, and trout are frequent targets using this method, however, sheepshead, ladyfish jacks and mangrove snapper are also thrown into the mix. I’ve been using artificial shrimp lures, slowly bouncing them along the bottom in sand holes or just above grass. Slowing down your retrieves and using lighter lures allows you to slow down your retrieve in the colder waters, enticing lethargic fish to eat. You’ll often most fish them taking the bait as it falls rather than on the rise during the retrieve.
- Captains Corner - March 23, 2024
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