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Captain's corner

By PETE KATSARELIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 11, 2000

With the first cold spell of the season settling in and bait plentiful on the flats, the fall fishing season should swing into full gear.

Often, the first moderate drops in air temperature result in slight temperature drops on the flats. That sparks some of the best fishing opportunities of the year.

Fish seem to abandon their sluggish summer ways and start preparing for the colder winter months by eating everything in sight.

Larger spawning reds should start schooling for their annual push offshore. After they group up, they usually stay on the flats and feed ravenously for a couple of weeks before pushing offshore.

This short window is perhaps the Suncoast's best chance for catching bull reds on light tackle.

Last year around this time, catch and release redfish action was sensational just off the coast of Pasco County. In one four-day period, the same spot produced up to 25 oversized fish per day, with the largest measuring 41 inches and tipping the scale at 26 pounds.

That's quite a battle on 10-pound spinning tackle.

These fish will be around again this year. The trick will be finding them. It may mean devoting a few days to scouting, but the result will be more than worth it.

Remember, most of these fish will be oversized, so take time to revive them properly and release them in good form. The redfish populations are counting on it.

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

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