Captain's corner

By ED WALKER

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2000

As we settle into summer conditions, anglers may want to consider a trip to the beach. Many species of game fish, including snook, redfish, cobia, trout, pompano and permit, can be found any given morning along our gulf shoreline.

Normal summer weather patterns bring easterly winds until around noon, when the westerly sea breeze kicks in. Most beach fishing involves sight casting and is best before the west wind stirs up the near-shore water. I prefer to cruise the uninhabited barrier islands such as Anclote Key, Honeymoon Island and Three Rooker Bar, but there are lots of fish on nearly any beach this time of year.

Sand Key has fantastic snook action, as do Indian Rocks Beach and Redington. The key is knowing exactly where the fish are. The odds of blind casting and landing your bait in front of a snook or cobia are slim, but if you have clean water, a pair of polarized glasses and some time to walk the beach, you will see the fish and can cast directly to them. Do not wade in; stay on the beach. Most fish will be within 30 feet of the dry sand. If you walk into the water, you will spook fish you never even see. Walk along the sand looking ahead and casting before the fish get too close.

The best overall lure is a silver tiger-striped quarter-ounce jig. Nearly anything that comes down the beach will hit this lure, with the possible exception of pompano and permit. For them, a small yellow jig works well, as do sand fleas, which are readily available on most beaches. For tackle, an 8- to 10-pound spinning rod is adequate. Twenty-five pound leader will hold most fish and is light enough to get bites in clear water.

A morning walk on the beach can be enjoyable even if you don't catch a anything, but if you have a fishing pole and a jig, it could be just a little more fun.

-- Ed Walker charters out of Palm Harbor. Call (727) 944-3474.

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