Captains Corner, Rob Gorta

The Tampa Bay Times

September is probably one of the best months to target redfish.  It is not uncommon to find several different schools in the south Pinellas County area.  Fort Desoto, Pinellas Point, Tierre Verde are all great areas to check out.  The key to finding these large schools is to look for mullet.  I have learned that wherever mullet is in tight schools, there are usually redfish around. Redfish are probably the wariest fish in our area.  If you use a trolling motor, the lowest setting possible will allow you to get close to the school.  A high setting will spook the school and make them hard to find.  I have seen schools break up and disappear in the blink of an eye.  I take my time and figure out what direction the school wants to travel.  I then place my bait in front of the fish and hope for the best.  If I did it right, I will get a bight every time; wrong and the school spooks away from me. The bait hatch has taken place, so there are a lot of small baits located on the bay area bridges and flats.  I like to use a ¼ inch mesh glass minnow cast net this time of year.  The mesh is small enough so the bait will not get caught in the net.  Pinfish has been the bait of choice for me.  Throwing chum over any grass flat will attract these hearty baits right into cast net range and you can fill the well quickly.

Captain Rob Gorta

727-647-7606

Fishingstpetersburg,com