Captain’s Corner: Tyson Wallerstein

The Tampa Bay Times

The recent warming trend has dramatically increased fish activity. Inshore water temperatures are up ten degrees from a week ago and afternoon incoming tides can warm the waters an additional five degrees or so with full sun and light winds.  

Redfish numbers are strong in Tampa Bay right now. Schools of mullet have returned to the flats after their winter spawn and the redfish are mixed in with them on the incoming tide. With the added comfort and cover provided by the mullet the redfish have been much more aggressive than they were the last several weeks.  

Slowly bouncing lightly weighted soft plastics through the mullet schools will give you plenty of opportunity for hook-ups. Gold spoons and walk the dog type top-water lures will produce strikes as well.  

The Intercoastal waterway has also been fishing good to excellent at times during the warm-up. Fishing with live shrimp suspended under a float during the lower tidal stages has produces mixed bag catches of trout, pompano, redfish, ladyfish and bluefish. Find those flats edges that provide protection from the wind and good water clarity for a chance at all of these worthy predator fish.  

During stretches of moderating weather tripletail will settle into the area in good numbers for the weeks to come. Running crab traps along the beach scanning for tripletail during slack tides is a great way to break the day up.  

Capt. Tyson Wallerstein
Flats Monster Inshore Fishing
(727) 692-5868
capt.tyson@hotmail.com
www.Flatsmonster.com