Captain's Corner

By JIM HUDDLESTON, Times Correspondent
Published October 1, 2007

What's hot: With a moderate water temperature drop, the rich grass flats just inside major passes have an abundance of fish. Larger speckled trout and Spanish mackerel are ripping through the large pods of bait on the incoming tide. In these high-current areas, grass grouper are roaming the sandy edges and attacking a free-lined bait. Some have been up to 22 inches and give an angler a good battle on light tackle. For those who like to sightcast, October is a great month. The water clears and inshore gamefish hold in the sand pockets to feed. Artificials such as a brown pumpkin jig bucktail or a weedless grass-colored jerkbait work great as the lure can be slowly worked through the strike zone. A larger select-sized shrimp can be just as effective when it is tail-hooked and allowed to twitch in the sandy depressions. Redfish that hold in these dropoffs and edges are using the tide to feed and will key on the scent of a shrimp.

Pro's tips: The late-afternoon sea breeze can be accommodating, if used to aid in casting. By keeping a good distance, wary snook are more likely to fall victim to a hooked bait. Downsizing to 20-pound leader has been helpful in disguising presentations. Back off the reel's drag to help prevent breakoffs.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at jim@captainhud.com or 727 439-9017.

[Last modified September 30, 2007, 21:50:46]