Pothole potluck
Fishing gets productive where sand and grass meet.
By DAVID A. BROWN, Times Correspondent
Published January 26, 2008
Capt. Greg DeVault was getting frustrated. ¶ From his poling platform perch, he could see the redfish darting across light-colored parcels of sandy bottom south of the Pithlachascotee River channel. They just wouldn't sit still long enough to allow for a decent cast on them. ¶ As a cold front approached, a stiff south wind blew relentlessly. This made the approach profoundly difficult - and the fish profoundly nervous.
"They're moving in and out of these sand holes," the Port Richey guide said. "They just don't like all that wind over their backs."
This episode stood in stark contrast to the early morning success in sandy depressions on the east side of Anclote Key. Island contour provided a wind break and allowed fishing at ease.
Trout and bluefish kept us busy, and this area probably could have provided enough action for our half-day outing, had we caught more redfish. Our quest for the spot-tailed brutes took us northeast to the flat where DeVault had located plenty a day earlier.
Nevertheless, at least finding our target species in the two locations demonstrated the predictable pattern of fishing sandy spots.
Fish friendly
For clarity, acres of barren sandy bottom rarely produce good fishing because there's nothing to attract the fish. If you want to find something that will stretch your line, look for contour and transitional edges - grass meeting sand.
The term pothole generally describes such habitat, but these breaks in the grass vary from distinct circles to oblong figures of abstract design.
Fish use these formations for gathering points and for ambushing baitfish and crustaceans that wander off the grassy edges.
Additionally, the holes provide low-tide hangouts. Reds, trout and snook will settle into these depressions and wait for rising water to flood adjacent flats.
Fish like the random grass and sand patchwork known as broken bottom. Depths might not vary as noticeably as in potholes, but the distinct edges create travel lanes and rest stops, where reds can evade predators such as dolphins and ospreys.
Even prop scars cut by careless boaters who run outboards through shallow seagrass beds provide these benefits. Holes are usually more attractive because they allow fish more room to maneuver.
With the aid of polarized sunglasses, you'll easily spot the light-colored sandy spots, but even to the naked eye, the contrast stands out distinctively. Wide-brim hats help, as does cupping your hands at the sides of your forehead to block peripheral glare.
Tools and tactics
Early mornings often find trout, redfish and the occasional snook eager to hit topwater baits. Sling a dark surface walker to the outer edge of a sand hole and work it across the light bottom in short twitches. If a fish hits and misses, pause the lure and then twitch it erratically to simulate a wounded baitfish.
For probing potholes with targeted casts, use a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce lead head jig with a grub or shad tail. Soft plastic jerkbaits work well on jig heads or on weedless worm hooks with weighted shanks. Darker colors are best for creating shadowy figures at the bottom of a sand hole.
If you have trouble working sand holes without snagging adjacent grass, the jig-and-cork rig offers an effective solution. A premade rig can be a soft plastic bait on a leader attached to a cork and wire stem with rattle beads, but rigging your own is as simple as sliding a popping cork onto your leader.
Depth control is the biggest advantage. Adjust the cork height - or leader length - so your lure hangs about 2 inches above the grass edges and you'll snag no more.
The other benefit comes from jerking the rod tip and chugging the cork across the surface. The noise grabs the attention of predators that come to investigate what sounds like other fish feeding.
When they arrive, they'll spot the lure fluttering below, and it's usually an instant sale.
A 7- to 7 1/2-foot medium-action spinning outfit loaded with 8- to 15-pound braided line will handle anything you'll find in a pothole.
Moreover, the braid's thin diameter affords those lengthy casts you'll need to approach nervous fish.
Trolling motors are okay for approaching your target area, but the low hum can spook fish.
Push poling affords a stealthy approach, but your best option is a wind drift.
Idle upwind of the area you want to fish, cut the engine and angle the outboard as a rudder to guide your track.
If the wind pushes you too quickly, deploy a drift sock or a ventilated 5-gallon bucket to slow your pace.
For inshore guidance, call DeVault at (727)869-9872.