The Tampa Bay Times

Trout fishing has saved me on a few trips this past week.  Cold fronts coming through every 3 to 4 days can make conditions tough.  Windy conditions out of the north will hold up the tide, preventing it from coming in.  If I cannot get on a flat, then I resort to drifting for trout.  This has been keeping clients busy with fast action.  Ladyfish, bluefish, and trout have been caught in the same areas.  All my low tides areas that normally hold redfish have only been producing a few fish. I have learned that if the redfish bite is not on, then I need to move and provide numbers of fish. Watching the Sonar screen, I look for deep grass in 3 to 4 feet of water. Start on the upwind edge of the flat and start drifting over the deep grass. Wind will help you work the area.  If your drift is to fast, then deploy a sea anchor.  This is just a small parachute to provide resistance in the water, it will slow you down and allow you to work the area more effectively.  If you have a productive drift, then use your GPS track to arrange another drift in the same area. I have a few jigs that I use that provide a lot of action.  Soft Plastic jig tails have great movement that resembles shrimp or crabs.  Snap the jig, and then let it fall to the bottom.  Most fish hit the jig on the fall ninety percent of the time.  Captain Rob Gorta727-647-7606www.captainrobgorta.com

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