Nature Coast

Captain's corner

By CAPT. ROBERT MCCUE
Published September 22, 2007

Flats fishing

Shorter days, longer nights, rain and northerly quadrant winds have dropped the water temperature into the low 80s. The biological alarm clock has sounded for our flats species to retreat and feed to store body fat for winter.

Lots of redfish

Snook and trout activity is increasing, but we are still a few weeks off for optimum catches with these species. Redfish are schooling and serving as the top species for fishing guides throughout the northern Suncoast. Rocky outcroppings, the first oyster bars and points guarding river and creek mouths, flats adjacent to barrier islands and passes and neap current producing cul-de-sacs are all holding fish now.

Follow the mullet

Several theories explain why fall redfish relate to schooling mullet. Likely the best one is because they are there. While not every school of mullet will hold reds, every school of mullet is worth a look when found in conjunction with the prime habitats mentioned. Pay particular attention to schools that are found in the same spots and on the same tide phases for days or sometimes weeks at a time. Redfish are very quick to establish habits, and that makes them easy to pattern.

Best tides

Mid flood tides at lower light in the next week will be prime time for redfish. Although every spot produces differently on particular phases of a flood or ebb tide, without question, fall redfish on the flats are easiest to catch on the last third of the incoming and the first third of the outgoing tides. Live bait is readily available, but you can gain a pre-emptive edge by fishing artificial lures at daybreak while other anglers are still catching bait. Small gold spoons cover a lot of area quickly while hunting for the fish. Once located, there is no better opportunity to enjoy explosive topwater lures and big fish in shallow water.

Capt. Robert McCue can be reached at1-800-833-0489 or on his Web site,www.GiantTarpon.com

[Last modified September 21, 2007, 22:11:41]