On the flats: The redfish action of the past week has started to slow. Large schools that stayed and fed in one area are now on the move. We would locate a school and set out the lines. As soon as we got a hookup, the rest of the school would leave the area. We followed the pack for 30 minutes. They would keep moving until they dropped off the flats and out of sight. They might have fed enough to start their trip offshore to spawn. There is a good chance most of these schools will be leaving in the next few weeks.
Best action: As long as the wind keeps blowing out of the east, the nearshore waters just off the beach will be teeming with mackerel, kings, sharks, bonita and cobia. Look for areas holding bait schools and bird activity. Anchor upcurrent and deploy a frozen chum block. Have the livewell full of whitebait. Use some for live chumming and others for bait. Have your rods rigged with 30-pound mono leaders and a No. 2 long shank hook. Cast nose-hooked baits where you see fish striking the surface. Keep the drags light and wait until the fish starts pulling on the rod tip before setting the hook. You can also free-line a large bait on 20-pound line and a short wire leader for a chance at a smoker king. A chunk of mackerel on the same rig will give you a shot at the sharks.
Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 347-1389.
[Last modified: Oct 14, 2008 08:52 PM]
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