On a recent inshore charter with clients, the wind was howling out of the northeast. Sight fishing was our plan, but with the strong winds we headed for the protected flats of lower Tampa Bay.

Corked live shrimp helped us locate good concentrations of fish. After we found what we were looking for, we changed to imitation shrimp and one-eighth-ounce jigs dressed with silver glitter curly tails. Most of our fish hit while the jigs were sinking. Keeping our offerings in the strike zone, just on top of the grass beds, produced more strikes.

The edges of the flats where the water is 3-4 feet deep seemed to be where the bigger sea trout and flounder were holding. Isolated pods of 4- to 6-inch striped anchovy (glass minnows) were moving along the edge of the flats. No doubt, the big trout were feeding heavily on the anchovies, and the silver glitter jig did the job by imitating the glass minnows.

Don't let the wind keep you away from the water. Use the leeward side of protected barrier islands and points to find concentrations of bait fish. Game fish such as trout, red drum and snook often stack up on these spots.

- Dan Brooks charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 867-7856 or e-mail wildd1@gte.net.

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