http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/Captain-s-Corner-Find-success-with-structure-fishing_170323222
Stable weather is usually necessary for fishing success. Wind and rain affect tides and water clarity. During the summer, higher tides have redfish and snook in areas that are high and dry other times of the year. A good example is flooded mangroves and other structure creating a place for fish to find food and feel secure and well protected from overhead predators and bright sun. Bait fishermen will cast a live offering close to structure and the unsuspecting baitfish will swim under the obstacle into the waiting mouth of a finny predator. Cut bait has the advantage of odor which attracts fish. With a fly rod, a cast must be made within inches of flooded mangroves and structure or back into narrow openings where fish can see or hear it. Use larger flies that cause a disturbance often drawing fish to the edge of cover. A good choice would be poppers in white, yellow or black that float and have a flat surface in front. Foam heads are a good choice because their light weight makes casting easier. A slight pull on a tight line creates a “pop” often bringing your intended quarry out of hiding to attack his dinner. If water is very deep, use a weighted fly and/or a sink tip fly line to get your fly closer to the bottom. Eliminate slack with your line hand as soon as the fly hits to detect subtle strikes. Cast with the rod held vertically for pinpoint accuracy, but move the rod horizontally to cast close to the water to get under structure and to make dealing with the wind easier. Check your back cast occasionally to make sure your loops are tight. If floating grass is a problem, use flies with weed guards.
Fly fisherman Pat Damico charters lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpatdamico.com and (727) 504-8649.
- Capiains Corner. Damico - December 26, 2023
- Pat Damico - December 21, 2023
- CaptainsCorner: Pat Damico - November 27, 2023
