Captain’s Corner: Tyson Wallestein

The Tampa Bay Times

Redfishing continues to heat up in our area. This week’s new moon tides have had the reds schooled up in both the Intercoastal waterway and Tampa Bay.  

Schools of large redfish work their way in from the gulf and will settle into a routine typically somewhere close to the inlet. When the tide and sun are up mid afternoon, it can be easy to spot the big fish holding just off the mangroves.  The size of the fish and the orange coloration they broadcast is their giveaway to the anglers that pursue them. The schools can consist of well over a hundred fish so they can be quite spooky but eager to feed at times as they compete for food and will pounce on top water lures even mid-day. Fresh cut-baits such as pinfish, lady fish and threadfins are perhaps the best tactic for catching numbers of these bruisers. Its best just to lay your baits out in the area that you spotted the school and let them come find you versus constantly moving around and spooking the fish.  

Tampa bay has a healthy population of redfish of all sizes right now. Shallow water anglers looking to target these fish with lures and or flies will love the upcoming weeks. Waters should begin to clear up some in the bay as we are most likely heading away from the monsoon that has been September. Also, tides will overall be a bit lower than what we’ve had the past couple of months. These are two key factors that should make the redfish more available for sight casting opportunities.  

 Soft plastic’s rigged with a light jig head and gold spoons are staples for those throwing lures, and lightly weighted crab patterns work well for those throwing a fly.  
Capt. Tyson WallersteinFlats Monster Inshore Fishing
(727) 692-5868
capt.tyson@hotmail.com
www.Flatsmonster.com