The Tampa Bay Times
Low tides can contribute to fly fishing fun or frustration. When you see a tail break the skinny water’s surface, what is it? I’ve had inexperienced anglers chase mullet, thinking they were reds. Spooking a school of mullet with a poor cast, sloppy wading, electric motors or shadows from the sun will scare every mullet and their predator companions, trout and redfish. Lately, sheepshead have been frequent residents of skinny water. Their tails, like redfish, show as they probe the soft bottom, changing from a horizontal to a more vertical position. Approach tailing redfish cautiously. Determine the fish’s position before making an accurate cast. Using at least a 9-foot 12-pound tippet tapered leader, carefully place the fly close to the fish’s nose. Your favorite small crab pattern that matches the bottom with the hook pointed up with a weed guard is the fly of choice. Remove slack from the line. Move the fly an inch at a time and hang on.
Fly fisherman and casting instructor Pat Damico charters 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
