Outdoors

Captain's Corner

What's hot: Strong northeast winds slowed the tides and action last week.

By DOUG HEMMER
Published March 26, 2007

What's hot: Strong northeast winds slowed the tides and action last week. Schooled up redfish were feeding hard on the incoming tide. We soaked baits in the middle of 200 redfish and got a strike every 20 minutes or so. The trick was to keep the baits in the school. Most of the redfish would move from the dropoff and school in a foot of water. Then they would move over the dark grass, which would make them almost invisible. Following the school and replacing the baits produced eight to 10 fish when we had been catching 20-30. These conditions should continue if the wind stays out of the north.

Tactics: Snook are starting to feed in the late afternoon. Scaled sardines free-lined upcurrent of the school are drawing the most strikes. Toss a few live sardines around the school and cast where the snook strike the surface. Use a short piece of 30- to 40-pound leader in front of your hook to keep the larger snook from wearing through the leader. The trout action has been over the grass piles 3-5 feet deep. Drift through the area while casting a dark green jig or jerk bait. Keep the lure close to the bottom and work it slowly across the areas where the sand meets the grass.

[Last modified March 25, 2007, 23:35:42]