Beautiful Florida Days, Spring on the Way!!!
3/3/2008
Hello everybody. I know it has been a month since my last report, but now I am here to give you the news about what's happening on the water in West Central Florida. While many of the news from the North is cold and snowy, we have had a pretty mild winter. There have been some chilly fronts dipping us into the high 30's, but hopefully most of those are behind us. As usual, the Trout bite this time of year is phenomenal in the beginning of the season, then with the added pressure from the recreational anglers pounding them, they get a little finicky. Well have no fear, I have still been on a good pattern with these fish and have had some stellar days hooking up. Mostly live shrimp casted a long distance away from the spoil islands. By freelining the baits in the deeper edges, the Trout do not have to rise too far to eat, it's right in their face. Furthermore, in just five or six feet of water, I will use a cork with 4 - 5 feet of leader to hang a big live shrimp down to the Trout. These methods have worked very well all year.Redfish are really starting to show well. They are consistently 18-24 inches and in larger groups than just a few weeks ago. We have had great success by pitching the shrimp under docks with deeper water and laying them around the oyster bars. Reds cannot resist a shrimp this time of year. On a recent trip with my friend Bill Rapp, we were able to locate a school of Reds, real shallow between some docks along a seawall. Although I scattered them as I unknowingly moved in too close, we still had lots of shots at them. They were laying in 1 ft. of water so don't under estimate how shallow they will actually get.Snook are starting to move around a bit. Give it a few more weeks and the bite will be on. The cold fronts continue to keep them at bay, staying up in the rivers and canals on the Gulf side. Upper and East Tampa Bay guides are starting to see a few cooperative Snook as they usually do before us. So it won't be long folks before we'll be throwing the net for bait and hooking the Snook. Patience.Well that's been the way it's been over the last month. Looking ahead we will see the Spanish Mackerel coming through again. Snook will heat up and the almighty Tarpon should start to migrate in mid to late April. If you are a fan of cool mornings and warm afternoons, this is the time. Call now for a booking. My March is filling up quick. There are a few remaining dates open so don't hesitate. See ya out here.
Capt. Brian
Capt. Brian Caudill
727-365-7560
braincandle2@yahoo.com
http://www.captbrian.com/
