Slightly cooler air temperatures and fair amounts of rain have finally lowered flats temperatures. Coupled with the arrival of larger greenback, these conditions have merged to create excellent shallow-water fishing.

Red-fishing around the Anclote River has been sensational. Look around oyster bars, docks and patches of saw grass. Anchor at casting distance from a likely spot on the last hour of the incoming tide.

Try throwing a few handfuls of pinched greenies toward the structure. If you don't see any strikes or boils in 5-10 minutes, odds are you're in the wrong spot. If they are home you'll know it, and there should be plenty. On a recent trip we caught and released 22 reds, 23-31 inches, in one spot.

The snook bite also has picked up in recent weeks. These fish have started to abandon the warm, salty water of the beach for the stained, brackish water of river mouths and estuaries. They should feed well in preparation for winter, and as usual with snook, they'll probably start biting best just before sunset and well into the night.

Armed with a bit of patience and a well full of whitebait, you'll be ready to start what looks to be a promising fall season.

- Pete Katsarelis fishes out of Tarpon Springs. Call (727) 439-FISH.

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