Do your homework to avoid red tide, find success

Fishers around AMI are finding themselves going back to the drawing board with the sudden emergence of red tide that is slowly creeping into our waters from the south. 

Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico within 15 miles of shore is becoming a tossup, as patches of red tide are present along the coast. Lucky anglers are finding windows of opportunity  to get in the Gulf and fish on some days, while others prove to be a waste of time and gas. 

Those willing to travel well offshore — 20-50 miles are finding good action. Frozen bait, such as sardines or squid, is the go-to as carrying live bait through patches of red tide is too risky. Artificials such as lipped plugs are also an option. Trolling with these lures is leading to some exceptional catches of kingfish, amberjack and wahoo.

For those fishing the inland waters, its best to focus on the eastern shorelines of Tampa Bay where the waters are free of red tide. Deep grass flats are producing action on spotted seatrout, ladyfish and pompano. Drifting and jigging with DOA CAL jigs is most effective in this scenario. Live baits such as shrimp or shiners is working, although you may find yourself pulling anchor frequently as the fish seem to spread out over large expanses of grass flats. Snook are being caught on days when water temps are in the low to mid 70s. Live shiners are working best for these fish. And with the cooler water temps, don’t expect big rallies of fish, nor an aggressive bite. You may find some redfish mixed in while targeting snook, especially in areas where docks or oyster bars are present.

Finally, in regards to red tide, let’s keep our fingers crossed that it remains at lower levels and stays out of Tampa Bay. If you do your homework there is still good fishing to be had, you just have to adapt to what’s being offered.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m doing a lot of drifting an jigging with soft plastics. The DOA CAL jig combined with a 1/4-ounce jig head is proving its worth as I’m seeing many trout and ladyfish being caught. Pompano are also mixed in for lucky anglers. Using live bait — shiners and small pinfish — is yielding action on snook and redfish on the warmer days and where the tides are moving.

Lastly, live shrimp as bait is working along the beaches in areas where no red tide exists. Black drum, sheepshead, bluefish, ladyfish and an occasional pompano are being caught in these areas.