Redfish are one of Tampa Bay's premiere inshore game fish. Spring and fall are prime seasons fishing skinny waters. Sight fishing schools on oyster bars tight to mangrove islands is common.
Winter brings several different options and areas to target. On negative low tides its not uncommon to find hundreds of reds in small depressions on and along dry grass flats. Often these magically holes are only accessible by wading or airboat. More common are docks along local canals and rivers.
Sunday was one of the super days when catching reds was easy. I targeted this same area the previous 5 days with no reds taken. The dock has been good to Captain Steven so it was worth another time. Like magic live shrimp were inhaled over and over again for 90 minutes.
What was different I truly don't know. The area is 6-10' deep so you can't see if the reds were there prior and not chewing or if they just moved in.
Giant Black Drum 35 to over 50 pounds will soon invade lower Tampa Bay on their annual pilgrimage. These Drum make for amazing charters. I had children last year catch Drum weighing more than they do.
Captain Steven Markovich
www.onthemarkcharters.com
