Fishing Tips: Redfish Fishing Tips - 4/21/2009

Captain's Corner: Redfish tips

What's hot: Redfish schools are large in the lower parts of Tampa Bay. Wind direction and water height play a big role in where one can find a school. A strong wind out of the north makes the tide much lower than predicted. It also keeps the incoming tide from reaching its highest point. There are a few areas to target a school during these low tides. They do get a bit crowded, but if you come into the area slowly and wait for the bite to start, you'll have a good chance at hooking up.

Tackle: A 7- to 8-foot rod with 10- to 15-pound braided line will give you the long cast needed to get close to the reds without spooking the school. Reds in some areas will respond to live chumming. When they do you'll want to freeline the baits. In other spots reds respond to cut bait. Test the school with a few live whitebaits tossed nearby. If the reds strike, it's time to throw a few more into the school. Don't overchum; that attracts the birds that like to dive on the baits and spook the school of reds into leaving.

Contact Doug Hemmer for your St. Petersburg Fishing Charter, (727) 347-1389, or click here to email the captain.