Captains Corner: Tyson Wallerstein

The Tampa Bay Times

Cooler, crisper weather the last couple days has really made it feel great on the water. As the water temperatures slowly inch their way down, fish activity goes up. Snook, trout, redfish, and mangrove snapper are great options for anglers right now.  

Mangrove snapper are abundant and are a great eating fish for those searching for fish dinner options. Just about any structure including bridges, jetties and artificial reefs are bound to hold schools of snapper at least for a couple more weeks. The last full moon phase really bunched the snapper up. Small pilchards and threadfins that can be easily cast netted on just about any grass flat near the passes have been the ticket although a live shrimp work great as well.  

The shallow water bite for snook, trout and redfish has been good and should only get better as water temperatures continue to fall. Target the low tides both in the morning and afternoon for the best action. The lower tides have the fish bunched up along the edges of the flats as they work schools of bait that become condensed during the low tide.  The best artificial lures are topwater plugs, weed-less soft plastics in natural green back colors and gold spoons. Live baiters can find all the bait they need early in the morning holding over grass flats and grass patches near the passes, as well as later in the day all along the beach swash channel.  
Capt. Tyson WallersteinFlats Monster Inshore Fishingwww.Flatsmonster.com