Fishing Report Jan 26, 2019 - Fishing Florida Flats

To start off this weeks fishing report I would like to address the apparent elephant in the room; a issue which is become a popular topic on the news, social media, and a question I get daily at the boat ramp, red tide. As unfortunate as red tide is, and the negative affects it is having on the localized economy and fisheries to the south of us, we have been very fortunate in not having any affects or signs of red tide in our local waters, from parts of Pinellas north to Hernando county. The water is clean, bait is abundant, and most importantly the fish are biting! 

  Redfish having been schooling up generous numbers, from the Bayport area south Anclote. Several of the schools which I have fished have had 30-50 redfish per school, and have been producing overslot. The larger schools of fish are constantly moving and will be found amongst large schools of mullet, moving water, and structure such as hard bottom, oyster bars, or pothole troughs along mangroves. For a live bait presentation I would suggest greenbacks or 2-3 inch pinfish, either free lined or on a cork. Allow your bait to naturally work through the mullet and school of redfish until your bait entices a strike. Furthermore, I have found when fishing schools or red fish and the bite slows down, a fresh piece of cut mullet will usually do the trick for lethargic reds. For a artificial presentation, I would suggest a smaller soft plastic paddle tail or jerk bait rigged on a 1/8 or 1/4 once jig head. Use a bait where you can maximize your casting distance without spooking the school of fish. A slower and more methodical retrieve will yield better results this time of year with higher water temperatures. Also a benefit of fishing  large schools of redfish with large schools of mullet this time of year is bycatch of large trout, black drum and jack crevalle. I recommend a 3000 series spinning real on a 7' to 7'6 rod, with 10lb braid and 20lb to 30lb leader for targeting these fish. 

    Trout continue to be on the move as we approach September. Trout of varying size are still being caught inshore along side other game fish and schools of mullet; although the numbers of fish being caught are not quiet what we see in fall through spring. The majority of trout have pushed out to deeper water and grass beds from 6-8 feet of water. Free lining green backs or smaller pinfish tend to get a good reaction from trout this time of year. If attempting to target trout in shallow flats, I suggest using a cork to keep your bait off the bottom and allowing it to drift through the water with the tide. If targeting the trout in deeper water a split shot might be needed to lower the bait in the water column to entice a strike. 

    Snook season is just around the corner and they are still abundant on the outer flats, end of canals, spoil islands and beaches to the south. Snook, which are inherently very tidally influenced with their feeding patterns are best fished on big incoming or out going tides. Knowing your tidal phases when planning a day of Snook fishing will increase your numbers of fish. Free lining live greenbacks or smaller finger mullet is my bait of choice this time of year for Snook. I suggest a 4000 series spinning reel and a 7' rod with 15-20lb braided line, with 25-30lb fluorocarbon leader. 

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Fishing Florida Flats