Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By JIM HUDDLESTON, Times Correspondent
Published November 4, 2007

What's hot: Wind, mostly from the north and east, has produced clearer water, a key to catching inshore gamefish, along the main shore of St. Joseph Sound. The early morning bite has been good with a higher tide that allows fishing tight to mangroves and oyster bars with good depth. A free-lined greenback is grabbing the attention of snook that have moved off the beaches and into the shelter of backwater creeks and canals. Using cut bait such as fresh ladyfish or large sardines will convince redfish to eat. The sandy outer edge of an oyster bar or a pothole at the mouth of a bayou are great ambush points. Pinfish and snapper will often tear apart cut bait, but this will disperse the scent and bring in the redfish. Speckled trout in the 4-pound class are being caught with white-weedless bucktail jigs as anglers drift the grass flats in 2 to 3 feet. With the South Region closed through December, use caution when releasing them.

Tactics: Protected areas are harboring snook and redfish and offer great sightcasting opportunities. The key to presenting a bait or lure is the approach. If possible, keep the wind at your back to allow a long cast and use smaller sardines or lighter jigs.

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

[Last modified November 3, 2007, 17:52:44]