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By PETE KATSARELIS
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 18, 2001
Generally when a big storm comes through fish will stop feeding, until conditions start to right themselves. Though Tropical Storm Gabrielle is gone, the lingering effects will affect inshore fishing over the next week. Before the storm, redfishing had been excellent. Large schools have been loosely scattered on the flats near Caledesi, Honeymoon and Anclote Islands.
As the tide begins to fall, these fish gather into tighter schools as they exit the flat in search of deeper water. Concentrate your efforts in about the 2-foot depth. The mass of redfish should push a large bulging wake, often preceded by showering baitfish or skipping ballyhoo. Singles are often mixed in with the schools of mullet that are undoubtedly spread throughout the flat. Top-water plugs and floating jigs are good offerings, but a weedless gold spoon works best. This classic standby casts further than other offerings allowing you to cover more area when randomly casting. It also enables you to offer to recognized fish from a further distance, decreasing the chance of scaring the fish.
- Capt. Pete Katsarelis charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be contacted at (727) 439-FISH.