Fishing between cold fronts can produce a variety of species. On a recent
corporate event that I was hired for, the species available was amazing. With a
very low tide for most of the morning I stayed off the flats and worked the
deeper drop offs in 4-6 feet near the flats and water to 12 feet deep. Some of
the species that we caught ranged from bluefish, trout, ladyfish, shark,
sheepshead, mackerel, grouper, black sea bass and flounder plus a few more which
kept it interesting. Redfish and snook are still cooperative especially on the
flats on a warm day but don't forget to look at the deep water docks that are
nearby the productive flats of warmer days. These docks can turn into a goldmine
of variety of fish from snook and redfish to sheepshead and trout.
Here is Chuck(on the left) who took 1st place in mackerel holding a wood carving
trophy.
All of the fish that day were caught on small scaled sardines with a few fish
caught on live shrimp. This time of year live shrimp and artificials can be very
productive, if you do not want to get scaled sardines or if they are just not
available.
Soft plastics on a jig head can out produce live bait at times due to the
coverage you can make with them and the depths they can achieve. I like a 1/4
oz(depending on depth) red jig head with a rootbeer and gold glitter paddle tail
or a white with pink paddle tail. I also like MirrOlures Lil John rigged on a
2/0 - 3/0 worm hook in rootbeer, watermelon with copper or gold glitter and the
glow colors. These lures can catch most species sought after on the inshore seen
by changing retrieval tactics. You can swim these baits, bounce them on the
bottom or slow retrieve along the bottom like when you are targeting flounder
for instance. The species are available right now so get out there and fish
before the water temps change again.
Capt. George Hastick fishes the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area. If you would like
more information or would like to book a charter please contact him at:
Capt. George Hastick
The Fish Hunter Fihing Charters
Phone: 727-525-1005
Email: captgeorge@tampabay.rr.com
Website: fishtampa.com
