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Time is running out to score a redfish or snook.
Tides will lower during daylight hours and water temperatures will drop into the zones that make fish slow to feed. The low tides will keep the redfish from feeding around oyster bars and the mangrove shore lines. Snook will become lethargic and unwilling to take bait.
Most snook in the lower Tampa bay area have moved into the residential canals. They can be found under and around docks. To locate them, troll a broken back crank bait across the front of the docks or skip large tail hooked shrimp under the docks. Trolling usually produces larger snook when they're feeding. Working under the docks normally catches the snook that don't feel like chasing down bait. As long as the tides reach 1.5 or higher, you should be able to target the reds for a few more weeks. Right now they can be found around the oyster bars and mullet schools. Shrimp, whitebait, sardines, pinfish and threadfins have been working on most days. If the area has minimal surface grass, don't hesitate to use a top-water lure. Reds and trout have been slamming surface plugs during the earliest parts of the day. Look for mullet jumping or swirling on the surface. Cast your plug over the school and work it back to the boat slowly. Most days will produce strong surface strikes.
Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.