The Tampa Bay Times

This time of year anglers should pay close attention to the large migrations of juvenile baitfish. These massive schools can be found at all depths, with a wide variety of predator fish feeding on them. Along the beaches, the schools primarily consist of small threadfins, pilchards and glass minnows. These baits grow at a rapid rate, supplying an easy source of food for larger fish. The surface action can be outstanding to watch at times. Spanish mackerel, tarpon, jacks and sharks are the most predominant feeders along the beaches    Keep an eye out for large schools of adult redfish also joining in on these feeding frenzies. They are normally located a couple miles from shore near the bait schools, and will often stay in the same area for days if the bait remains there. Just about any bait will get their attention. The redfish schools are sometimes so large, they will turn the water a a burnt orange color, revealing their presence.  Adult redfish can weigh over 30 pounds providing great action on a spinning reel.       Offshore water depths of 40 feet and deeper,  bait schools consist of small sardines and cigar minnows.  If you are fortunate to find a piece of bottom structure holding these  bait schools, it can be rewarding. Larger reef fish are often feeding on them.  You will also find pelagic fish near these schools of bait. Numerous bonito, cobia and a few rogue kingfish have been landed by anglers focusing on these offshore schools . Numerous artificial reefs  are smothered with these baitfish at this time      We have even caught goliath grouper in these schools of bait. This larger sub specie of the grouper family will often swim in the midst of these bait schools for days. Occasionally gobbling up a mouthful of the tiny fish with minimal effort. Seconds later the frantic bait fish will congregate all around the goliath grouper as if nothing happened. Its amazing to watch the food cycle at full swing around these bait schools.    

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