Summer temperatures on the flats have been in the low 90s by midday, forcing anglers to seek cooler water around the nearshore artificial reefs in north Pinellas. Loading the baitwell in the early morning with small to medium whitebaits and heading a few miles offshore can guarantee rod-bending action. Rocky hard bottom and the structure of the reefs hold a variety of fish to catch. Mangrove snapper, small grouper, grunts and flounder are available. Using a heavy split shot, 30-pound leader and a small hook, drop bait to the bottom and reel one rotation to suspend the bait slightly. Light tackle rods can usually handle most of the nearshore species; however, a large grouper or cobia can sometimes get the upper hand. Mackerel are starting to show up, chasing the hordes of small hatchling baits around the reefs. Long shank hooks or a short length of light wire can prevent most breakoffs. Though the flats are warm, the grasses nearer the passes have held high numbers of trout, small mackerel and ladyfish. The beaches are still holding a few snook, though the numbers are dwindling as the snook begin to transition inshore after the spawn season. Incoming tides are cooler than outgoing, and morning bites are best before the sun gets too high. Always hydrate well, even on days with cloud cover and rain.
That’s what’s happening out here these days! Don’t let the summer pass you by without booking your special day on the water! Call me at 727-365-7560 or e-mail brian@captbrian.com. Let’s go fishing!

My name is Brian Caudill and I am a Fishing Guide in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I provide guide services for West Central Florida including Tampa Bay and surrounding waters. It is my pleasure to work hard to put all of my clients in the right place for our targeted fish. I am very personable, patient, and easy going. I understand that the charter fishing experience on my boat is about the customer. I hope the following insight about me will help you learn more about my love for fishing.

Fishing for me began as a small child in the state of Kentucky. My earliest memories are of my father and I fishing streams, ponds, rivers and lakes for various species of small game fish such as Bluegill, Redeye (Rock bass), Crappie, Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, or anything else that would bite. Somehow though, Dad always seemed to catch more fish.

Upon moving to the Tampa Bay, Florida area in the late 80’s, my father, still living in Kentucky, would often encourage me to put my knowledge of fishing freshwater to use in the numerous lakes Florida has to offer. For some reason, I just couldn’t keep my mind off of the big fish swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and the backwater flats behind the barrier islands. So, with a few questions at the local bait shop, and the company of a couple local friends, I began to explore the inshore waters of West Central Florida.

As time passed, and my success in locating fish grew, I began entering some local tournaments. Without a boat, and with limited ways of keeping bait alive, I would trudge for hundreds of yards to the fishing holes. To my surprise, my friend Jim and I won a few of those tournaments. Consequently, the organizers would no longer allow us to fish without a boat, fearing some unfair advantage I suppose. So, now armed with the know how to catch these inshore species, I bought a boat and began fishing tournaments around Tampa Bay and all over the state. Some of those included two years on the Mercury/Ranger Professional Redfish Tour, CCA’s Red/Snook Series in Punta Gorda, Florida, as well as the many local events from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs.

Eventually, I decided to take the necessary steps required to receive a United States Coast Guard license to be a Charter Fishing Guide. Now, over sixteen years later, I still get a thrill from putting my customers where the fish are. It is a great joy to see the faces of children and adults alike experiencing what the Florida West Coast has to offer.

Capt. Brian

Brian Caudill
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