Captain's Corner: Inshore species use potholes, barrier islands to feed

What's hot: The flats of St. Joseph Sound are showing signs of fall. With water temperatures cooling, many inshore species are using the potholes and barrier islands to feed. Use a larger, weedless lure, such as a gold spoon, to get a reactionary bite from aggressive reds. By using a power-pole anchor, anglers can thoroughly work the edges of a school and get multiple hookups without splitting up the fish. Many catches have been 10 to 12 pounds around the new and full moons. Flounder and Spanish mackerel are attacking free-lined sardines drifted along the north sides of the spoil banks along the Intracoastal Waterway. Using a No. 2 long-shank silver hook with 30-pound fluorocarbon leader prevents cutoffs and disguises the presentation in clear water. Some larger speckled trout are showing up at first light and attacking topwaters worked close to the dropoffs. Once the sun gets high, bigger females are moving into deeper water between the dump banks.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater, and can be reached at jim@captainhud.com or (727) 439-9017.