Tampa Bay Reds And Trout On The Flats

Fishing after this last front has been extremely tough. The extremely warm seasonal weather that has kept kingfish on the nearshore reefs has passsed. The high pressure system has is holding over us continues to affect the fishing. Drifting the deeper flats during the day has produced good amounts of redfish. The redfish have been less affected by the front and therefore they have been my main target over the last week. The schools have bunched up on the deeper flats because the water is warmer there. They are most active on the outgoing tide as they wait for they wait for the tide to flush bait off the flats. The trout have also been biting strong. Larger trout have been holding in the same depth as the redfish and are extremely easy to catch. Jigging darker color soft plastics has been the key to these fish. A popping cork and a shrimp is also a very productive combination. Night fishing tends to be a lot more productive. The redfish are extremely concentrated in the underwater lights. The underwater lights warm up the water around them and are more productive than above water lights.The snook have been hard to get to eat. The key to hooking these fish is to get a well full of whitebait and chum the lights heavily. Slip in the biggest whitebaits that you have in with the chummers and you will have success!

Tight lines and Happy Holidays!!

Ben Choi

727 432 7232