 The days have been hot the past week, but the water temperature is staying in the low 80's. We have a front moving through this weekend but it appears that it is going to bring more wind than cold air. The fishing out of Hernando Beach has been fantastic the past week. We have been catching a mixed bag of quality fish.
The backcountry bite is really starting to peak. Good numbers of red fish,snook, and trout are being caught on a variety of baits. The many bays and creeks North of Bayport have been holding a a lot of fish that are on the move and feeding. Target areas that have structure like oyster bars and mangroves on the start of a out going tide. One tactic that I feel produces the most fish is to set up within casting distance from these points and offer baits like cut mullet,cut pin fish or live pin fish. I prefer to use a cork so I can see the strike. Use a 3/0 - 4/0 circle hook with a 20 - 30 lb. mono leader. When your cork disappears, slowly reel down until you feel the weight of the fish and let the circle hook do its job. Circle hooks allow anglers to get a good hook set in the corner of the mouth. This not only reduces the number of break offs, but it makes it easy to get the hook out of the fish. This allows anglers to get back to fishing quicker and reduces the risk of a gut hook which will injure or kill the fish.
TIP- Keep a few lady fish to use as chum. If my clients start catching lady fish, I always put a few in the cooler for future trips. Cut them into small pieces throw them towards the oyster bars and mangroves your fishing using a bait slinger bat. These pieces of chum not only bring fish to the area, but it will also keep them there. This is a no cost easy way to chum an area your fishing and will put more fish in the boat !
Flats fishing continues to thrive in 4 - 12 ft. of water. Drifting fishing these depths over grassy bottom with sandy pot holes is what I target. GULP shrimp,silver spoons, or hard baits like mirro lure mirrodines are all producing fish. Trout,mackerel,lady fish,blue fish,jack crevalle,cobia,and more are all pulling drag.
Good luck out there, and tight lines!
Capt. Keith Tomlinson
Bulldog Fishin Charters
www.bulldogfishin.com
(352)238-3581
|
