Fishing this time of year requires a lot of patience and the ability to change gears. Lately, we’ve been fishing for sheepshead using live shrimp, cut into small pieces and threaded onto a small hook. Pitching underneath docks and around oyster bars is very productive, but at times there will be redfish in the vicinity. So, I will often float pinfish under a cork along the same oyster bars as the sheepshead. Not always, but occasionally, we’ll hook a nice redfish or two. Trout are beginning to show up a little better in St. Joseph Sound, however, the grass flats south towards Clearwater have held a lot of small trout. We’ve been using artificials that mimic shrimp profiles bounced slowly along the grassy bottom to get a few hook ups. Pompano and ladyfish are also common catches. There have been a lot of sharks on the flats in recent weeks. So I’ve been taking clients to catch ladyfish that we will eventually use for the sharks. A little heavier class rods with some 60lb. wire leader and a 5/0 or 6/0 circle hook works great for the smaller sharks in the 2 to 5 foot range. Be very careful when dislodging the hook from the small sharks mouth as their teeth are razor-sharp and their movements can be unpredictable. I like to use fishing gloves and a dehooking tool for safety.