REDFISH IMPROVING!!!

Even though on the calendar summers end is drawing near, temperatures in Florida will remain in the mid-80s and low 90s for quite a while. And, although reports of deadly red tide outbreaks have been reported in South Pinellas, Clearwater Beach and to the North remain clear and hopefully will stay that way.  Either way, fish know that it’s time to start migrating back towards their transitional locations for fall. Snook are still hanging around the beaches. Not in numbers they were but still a dependable bite if you can find them. The male fish tend to hang around a lot longer than the females especially after they have laid there eggs. Trout are also very plentiful along the beach but more reliable on the grass flats inside of the passes. Sardines are my favorite date of choice when targeting both snook and trout, but each species will also eat small pinfish. Redfish are starting to show up a little better especially around the higher tides. It may take some effort, but once they are found, cut Baits placed in the potholes adjacent to the mangroves has worked really well. Normally I advocate fishing in the bushes skipping Baits as deep as you can. But for some reason in my area redfish are schooling on the outside more commonly. Not a lot of upper slot fish but more of the smaller to mid slot fish have been working the sand holes and chasing pinfish. On the weaker moon phases I’ve been focusing on near shore species. Mackerel have been attacking bait schools within 1 to 2 miles of shore, especially near all of the passes in North Pinellas. Again, greenbacks are the better choice but throwing silver spoons has always been a go to bait for those not able to catch live bait and store it in the boat. From now through the fall mackerel will be a pretty reliable source of action.