The recent fronts that have moved through our area have cooled the Gulf waters a little more and have a variety of fish feeding. The winds and rain have made it difficult for anglers to get out at times. When the weather has laid down allowing us to get out and wet a line, the fishing has been fantastic in all depths.
The backcountry continues to produce fish. Good numbers of redfish are being caught north from Pine Island to Chassahowitzka. Target the entrances of the many creeks that litter this area. Live pin fish,select shrimp, or cut mullet are my baits of choice. Look for oyster bars near mangroves on a good moving tide. Use a 3/0 - 4/0 circle hook under a cork and fish these baits so they drift just off the bottom. I prefer the beginning of the out going tide. As you quietly approach these areas look for mullet jumping or causing "nervous water". Redfish and the occasional snook will often move with these schools of mullet feeding on whatever they stir up.
Big trout are being caught in 3 - 5 ft of water North of Bayport. Free lined shrimp on a 2/0 long shank hook is a good tactic. However, a 3" white GULP shad paddle tail put on a 1/4 ounce jig and slowly bounced across the bottom will catch a variety of fish at these depths. Be ready for trout,blue fish,jacks,lady fish, and sea bass to get in on the action.
The deeper flats have taken 1st place the past few weeks. The shallow water rock piles in 8 - 14 ft of water have been hot. These rocks are producing quality Spanish mackerel, blue fish,sea bass, and keeper grouper. For the mackerel and blues I like to throw silver spoons or free line shrimp in a chum slick. For the grouper, I anchor away from the structure and cast frozen threadfin or live pin fish to the rocks. Chum these areas heavily to get the grouper to come out of the rocks. I use heavy spinning tackle with 40 LB. braid and a 60 LB. mono leader. Use a tight drag and pull hard at first to prevent them from getting in the rocks. Some anglers prefer conventional tackle in this situation, but it's just more enjoyable and sporting for me with the spinning tackle.
Good luck out there and tight lines!!
Capt. Keith Tomlinson
Bulldog Fishin Charters
www.bulldogfishin.com
(352)238-3581
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