Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By ROB GORTA
Published February 20, 2008

What's hot: Trout fishing has saved me on a number of trips this week. Cold fronts coming through every three to four days can make conditions tough. Windy conditions out of the north will hold up the tide, preventing it from coming in. If I cannot get on a flat, then I resort to drifting for trout. This has been keeping clients busy with fast action. Ladyfish, jacks, bluefish, pompano and trout have been caught in the same areas. My low tide areas that normally hold redfish have been producing few fish.

Tactics: I have learned that if the redfish bite is not on, then I need to move and provide numbers of fish. I look for deep grass in 3 to 4 feet of water. I start on the upwind edge of the flat and start my drift. Wind will help you work the area. If your drift is too fast, deploy a sea anchor, a small parachute to provide resistance in the water. This will slow you and allow you to work the area more effectively. If you have a productive drift, use your GPS tracker to arrange another drift in the same area.

Tackle: I have a few jigs that provide a lot of action. Flat-tail grubs have great movement that resembles shrimp or crabs. Snap the jig, then let it fall to the bottom. Fish hit the jig on the fall 90 percent of the time. Eel-type baits are my next favorite. A steady retrieve with an occasional snap of the rod will often produce a strike.

[Last modified February 19, 2008, 23:09:50]