Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By ROB GORTA
Published September 18, 2007

What's hot: Huge mullet schools have migrated into the Pinellas Point area. Along with the mullet, monster bull redfish have arrived on the shallow grass flats. On the low tide in the morning, fish have been feeding aggressively once the tide starts to flood. For the first time all summer, I have been finding schools of "tailing" redfish. These fish will eat anything in their path, as long as you do not spook them. The average size of these monsters caught were 34 to 40 inches.

Tactics: Large bull reds need to be approached with care. Push-poling is the only way to target these fish on low tides. I start early in the morning and find a school, then follow its pattern during the incoming tide. Once the tide is higher, the fish will settle down and stay in one spot. If you try to follow them on low tides, the blade will hit the grass or the bottom or it will cavitate, causing air to get around the blade.

Bait and tackle:Take a pick at whatever bait you would like to use. I have filled my live well with everything: scales sardines, threadfin herring, pinfish, grunts, chubs and finger mullet. I will cast in front of the school's movement. Ten-pound braided line is a must. It will allow for the longest cast possible.

Capt. Rob Gorta can be reached at (727) 647-7606 or visit his Web site at www.captainrobgorta.com

[Last modified September 17, 2007, 23:35:19]