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Captain's Corner: When Red Tide bloom breaks, fish can arrive quickly

 
Published Sept. 17, 2018

Here is some good news attributed to Red Tide. Things do rebound quickly, once the bloom breaks. New populations of fish can arrive quickly in its aftermath. Anglers who have been successful lately are looking for untainted areas to fish. At least a 40-mile jaunt west can do the trick. Inshore anglers have to be creative, maneuvering around the tainted areas. This can sometimes turn into some decent fishing, since the fish are concentrated in the clean areas. The bloom moves with wind and tides, so every day changes. Please take note: Catfish in particular can cause beachgoers problems. Their skeleton is called a carapace. It has three spines. These barb-like tips break off, similar to a stingray's spine. Carapaces can sometimes get lost in the sand for months, even with all our clean-up efforts. Check your beach spot before throwing down a towel.

Dave Mistretta captains Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 439-2628 or visit jawstoo.com.