Finding laid up snook, redfish and large trout
Weak afternoon tides earlier this week and recent improving tides have been producing some great sight fishing opportunities. Backcountry or places that have minimum boat activity have been the key. Any boat, skiff, canoe or kayak that will negotiate shallow water with minimum disturbance is required to get to many of these locations. The sun is necessary to see fish more easily. Pick a shoreline that has been exposed to the sun and check the water temperature. An increase in a few degrees is often necessary to find the most active fish. Be very stealthy because shallow water puts all species on high alert. If there is a dropoff close to shore, even a depth change of a foot or so is often the key. Trees, rocks or any structure will make the place more productive. Develop a pattern after locating cooperative fish. If cloud cover makes seeing fish difficult, stick to your pattern and blind cast to these places. All areas where we found active fish had schools of baitfish. Many times when our flies hit the water, baitfish scattered. Interrupt your fishing pattern whenever baitfish run from a feeding fish and place your baitfish pattern fly there. If the water is tannin-stained, darker flies seemed to be more productive.
Fly fisherman Pat Damico charters Fly Guy in lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpatdamico.com and (727) 504-8649.
- Capiains Corner. Damico - December 26, 2023
- Pat Damico - December 21, 2023
- CaptainsCorner: Pat Damico - November 27, 2023
