Another two weeks of mild weather has prompted flats species to abandon their deep-water retreats in favor of the shallow waters of the flats and the intercoastal.

The flats and the neighboring oyster bars and spoil islands from New Port Richey to Dunedin have been swarming with large trout and redfish. Most are in a feeding frame of mind thanks to the rapid rise in temperatures.

A live shrimp on an eight- to 10-pound spinning outfit and a 20-pound shock leader is all you need to target species around spoil islands, oyster bars and mangrove shorelines. Fish often will concentrate around such structures, and the scent of a live bait often will draw in interested fish sitting in the immediate area.

When fish are spread across a flat, artificial lures that allow you to cover larger areas usually are more productive. For trout and redfish, soft plastic jigs or jerk baits have been effective. Color hasn't seemed to matter much, but a slow-twitch retrieve has seemed to produce best.

Trout have been concentrated in 3-4 feet of water in middle phases of the tide. The redfish, however, have been pushing up shallow on the first of the incoming. In some cases they have been exhibiting a "tailing" behavior as they root around for crustaceans in the sea grass.

- Capt. Pete Katsarelis charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at (727) 439-3474 or by e-mail at inshoreadventure@aol.com.

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