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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 19, 2002
With the first cold spell finally arriving and an abundance of sardines on the flats, the fall fishing season has begun.
Though the first cooler temperatures seem a little late getting here, fall angling is shaping up nicely.
Often the initial moderate drop in air temperature results in a slight temperature decrease on the flats. That sparks some of the best opportunities of the year. Fish seem to abandon their sluggish summer ways and start preparing for the colder winter months by seemingly eating everything in sight.
The snook bite has increased in recent days.
These fish finally have started to abandon the warm, salty waters of the beach for the stained, brackish river mouths and estuaries. The snook should start feeding well in preparation for winter, and -- as usually is the case -- probably will feed best on the turn of the tide during major moon phases.
If a tidal change during a major moon can be lined up, either early in the morning or just before sunset, you probably won't be denied. It is a lot of factors to piece together, but you will find yourself working in optimal feeding conditions.
Nice-sized cobias are starting to appear on the flats.
Most of the fish will be following large stingrays and located in the 3-4-foot depth. Cobias gladly will accept a large, lively whitebait or threadfin as a mid-day meal. Clear skies in the early afternoon and flats with clear water are excellent conditions for finding the brutish species.
Enormous schools of small glass minnows and scaled sardines had been lingering just inside the beach breaks of barrier islands and sand bars. Large schools of mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish had been feeding on them ravenously.
However, strong winds associated with the minor weather front have scattered the bait. Most likely they have retreated to slightly deeper water just offshore. With less wind, the bait and its aggressors should show up in the same areas.
Farther offshore the first wave of kingfish pushed through last week, and more are on the way.
Slow-trolling live baits around fairly shallow structure is the best bet. If the bait is found, you likely will find the kings, so watch the surface for schools of sardines or threadfin herring.
The most telltale sign of the presence of kingfish is one that's "skyrocketing" through the air.
The phenomena occurs when a king is feeding on bait that's located near the surface. In the process of ambushing its prey, the king -- capable of speeds 40-plus mph -- can jump 8-10 feet. If you see a fish skyrocket, throw some baits. That king and others probably still are in the area.
Mild water temperatures have done wonders for grouper fishing.
It no longer is necessary to blast offshore 50 miles, as most of these fish have started creeping closer to shore. Good catches of reds and gags are being reported up and down the coast, ranging from 60 foot and in. The most productive area has been the 30-40-foot range.
Whatever you decide to target, you can't go wrong.
Nearly every desirable species is beginning to feed, and anglers don't have to sweat through 90-degree weather to catch 'em.
- Capt. Pete Katsarelis charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at (727) 439-3474 or by e-mail at inshoreadventure@aol.com.