Unfortunately it doesn’t look like we’re getting out of this weather pattern anytime soon, with the last three weekends being a bust on the weather; we can only hope that these fronts will give us a break soon.
Telling you about just how good the weekday fishing was last week feels a bit like rubbing it in, but fishing has been good – in fact it’s been real good.
Redfish have definitely made their entrance in our northern county. Speckled trout fishing is excellent. Sheepshead are staging up for their spring spawn and there’s enough action from those “wild card” fish i.e. pompano and black drum to almost count on it.
Redfish are showing up in traditional places. Barrier islands, spoil islands and no motor zones are holding fish. Finding clean water with a healthy mullet population has been the key for finding the fish on the incoming tide.
Once the tide is up scan the shoreline for fish that will hold up around small oyster bars that can typically be found along mangrove points. Live select shrimp under a float have been working well.
Sheepshead fishing is improving as schools of larger sized fish group up for their spawn. Pass bridges and jetties are places to look when targeting the bigger fish.
Use fresh pieces of shrimp fished on either a jig head or a small hook with a split shot for weight. Also, now is a good time to have a few pompano jigs on hand, especially when fishing in or near the passes.
Look for the pompano to stage up and feed on the strong part of the tide. First thing in the morning or early evening is the best time to trick these tasty speedsters.
Keep your eyes open for a chance at spotting a school of breeder sized black drum. These giants will often hang out over deep grass flats and can sometimes be seen tailing in the shallows usually early in the morning.
Pinellas Point is a good area to look as well as the flats around the Dunedin Causeway. Cast gulp shrimp on a stout jig head into the school and hang on.
Until next week – get bent!
Tyson Wallerstein can be reached at capt.tyson@hotmail.com. To get a fish photo in the paper, send the photo along with your name, when and where it was caught to editorial@TBNweekly.com or mail it to Tampa Bay Newspapers, 9911 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772.
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