Strong winds will cloud inshore waters and make fishing difficult. Residential canals are one of the few areas that will have clear water. Most fish will be near or under docks. At low tide, redfish and snook like to hang out in front of docks. As the tide rises, look for them to move under the dock and closer to the seawall.
Drift canals and cast artificial lures down the sides and under docks. A half-ounce shad-tailed jig works best near the seawall and dragged along the bottom. Work the areas on each side and in front of the dock. When fishing under the dock, switch to artificial shrimp. Skip the shrimp under the dock and let it sink naturally, and twitch the rod tip every few seconds. When you feel a strike, reel the line tight before setting the hook. Rods should be rigged with 20-pound test and 30-pound leader.
Once fish are located, live bait can be more productive. White bait, small pinfish, grunts and shrimp are deadly depending on the fish you target. Snook will strike these baits when rigged free-lined. Redfish usually hit the same baits when rigged with a weight. Sheepshead and mangrove snapper prefer shrimp. Dice a fresh shrimp into small pieces and toss it around the dock. This will get them in the feeding mood. Free-line a small chunk of shrimp under the dock. When the line starts moving, set the hook.
- Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.
