Captain’s Corner: Tyson Wallerstein

Mid-day low tides and a persistent north wind will have the Intercoastal looking pretty empty the next few days. Low tides can condense fish along channel edges and flats drop-offs, giving anglers an advantage on locating numbers of fish.

Black drum, sheepshead, redfish, trout, ladyfish and occasionally pompano are common visitors to these edges. Free-lining shrimp either off the edge out into deeper water or casting up to the shallows depending on the wind, can produce good catches on even the coldest days.

Finding clear water can be difficult when the wind is as strong as its been the past few days. Clear water is the most important variable right now and spots with low visibility should be quickly passed on in order to maximize your time during the warm part of the day.

The colder the water the slower the presentation. Allow your shrimp to naturally drift with the tide when you can. As the pinfish inevitably locate your shrimp and begin harassing it, predator fish will pick up on the activity and investigate. When the wind and or current is simply too much to free-line, adding a small #4 split shot will allow you to maintain good contact with your shrimp.

Sheepshead remain active during the cold spells. Schools of sheepshead can be found on nearly every bridge in the county right now. Chum the fish up by scraping the barnacles from the pilings. Small live shrimp, fiddler crabs and barnacles on a small hook with only enough weight to get to the bottom will all produce.

Flats Monster Inshore Fishing
(727) 692-5868
capt.tyson@hotmail.com