The change of seasons has a way of humbling the most determined angler. Impossible winds and ridiculous cold often leave people wondering why they are fishing in such conditions. The answer: an absolute love for fishing.
For those who feel this way and have braved the elements, nice catches of reds, sheepshead, black drum, whiting and trout were the reward.
Even on super windy days, many areas are available to anglers who do not have a boat or do not feel like pounding their equipment to death. Residential canals, area parks and bridges are good spots to stay out of the wind and have a pretty good shot at catching some fish.
Shrimp are the bait of choice. Soft plastic shrimp lookalike lures and plastic shad-shaped jig tails are working well if fished slowly. Live shrimp can be hard for bait shops to keep in stock. Offshore conditions dictate if the shrimpers can net bait. When planning an outing, call to make sure they have live shrimp. If you have access to the water or have a good live-well system, they can be purchased the day before. A plastic garbage can drilled full of holes with floats attached to the top will keep bait for days. Make sure to have a tight lid. The shorebirds in our area are very clever and extremely resourceful. All this will save time at the bait shop and ensure you have a good stash of bait.
- Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call 813 310-6531 or e-mail at www.snookfish.com
