OUTDOORS

30 THE SUN OUTDOORS SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

Redfish: Time for everyman’s fish

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

Redfish are a favorite target for local anglers and late summer and early fall is a great time to target this versatile gamefish. Redfish are a sort of everyman’s fish in the sense that they take readily to (well presented) live bait, lures and flies. They are also challenging, and when hooked, put up a determined fight.

The flats are one of the best areas to find redfish. During high tides, reds will congregate near the mangroves that line the shore. As the tide begins to fall, they work the edges of the roots searching for minnows, crabs and other crustaceans. As the tide falls, they move out with the tide, following the contours of channels, slues and potholes that funnel water off the flats. The reverse happens as the tide rises.

Redfish can also be found in channels and passes near docks, jetties, groins and other structure. Canals that lace the barrier islands also hold redfish. Concentrate on docks with large boats and the beginning and ends of the channels. These areas are usually a bit deeper than the surrounding water and are a magnet for redfish. If there is structure, oyster bars or grass nearby, your odds improve.

Anglers who are patient can find reds as they work on and off the flats. Artificials, including topwater plugs, jigs, gold spoons and jerk baits are effective in shallow water. Shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish are good live baits. They are best when free-lined or under a popping cork.

Redfish are an excellent target for fly anglers. They frequent shallow water, are extremely challenging to stalk, tail when conditions allow and take wellpresented flies readily when they’re in the mood. One of the best areas to target reds on the fly is shallow grass beds with exposed white sand holes. These areas provide ease of wading and allow the fly angler to spot reds as they move across the flats in search of food. Top flies include baitfish, shrimp and crab patterns.

Redfish in shallow water are spooky creatures, rivaling bonefish as a cagey target. Accurate casts that lead the fish by about 2-3 feet are a must. The fly must be close enough for the fish to see but not too close or they’ll spook. When they spot the fly, keep it in their field of vision, but moving away. If they approach the fly, never slow it down! Match their speed, increasing the strip if they rush the fly.

Unless you’re fishing for reds around structure, you won’t need heavy tackle. Spinning and baitcasting rigs in the 8–10-pound range are just right. Fly anglers can use a 7-9 weight outfit depending on the wind and the size of the fly they’re using. Redfish provide a great challenge and some exciting action. The late summer run is just beginning, so get out there. There’s never been a better time to stalk, catch and release them. Redfish are currently catch-andrelease (carefully) only July 16 to Oct. 11, 2021, in Manatee waters north of State Road 64/Manatee Avenue.

Although they have a downturned mouth, redfish will often attack a topwater.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Big redfish plentiful inshore

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

Fishing around Anna Maria Island has been great the last few weeks. We are slowing down a bit and we’re assuming it’s due to things getting back to normal. Kids are back in school; people are getting back into the swing of life again. We were fortunate enough to be in an industry that actually benefited from the pandemic and instability of the current times. People seem to feel much more comfortable in the sunshine, and with their families on a boat.

Inshore, snook and snapper are very prevalent, but the real story is the big redfish. Lots of big breeder fish around. This makes us happy after seeing the numbers that were killed by red tide. We’ve had some amazing redfish days in the last two weeks or so.

Offshore, the yellowtail snapper are going crazy. It’s not hard at all to get our offshore clients the limit of 10 per person. The red grouper fishing has been exceptionally good as well. We’re also seeing a ton of mahi out there. Lots of little ones, but some larger ones in the mix here and there. Good luck out there and tight lines!

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

A red tide bloom has been affecting Southwest Florida for the past couple of months, so conditions may change daily or even from tide to tide. I look for birds behaving normally, baitfish and clearer water to find areas free of red tide. Patches of red tide will move fish around and may concentrate them in an area of clean water. Also, backcountry areas may be less prone to red tide due to more brackish water this time of year. That being said, September is usually one of my favorite months. Reds should be schooling on shallow grass flats, and you also might find big trout there at first light. Baitfish along beaches will attract Spanish mackerel, false albacore (little tunny), sharks, tarpon and more. You should find snook around docks and bridges in the ICW. There should also be tarpon around bridges at night and in areas of Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. Juvenile tarpon from 10 to 30 pounds should be a good option in creeks and canals.

Tarpon will still be a good option this month. There may still be a few singles, doubles and small schools in the coastal Gulf, and if you’ve got the patience to wait them out, it can be good. Many have moved to inside waters this month, so you’ll find them around bridges, over deep grass flats or deeper areas. When tarpon move into these areas, they are in a feeding mode. After a long migration and with their spawning duties completed, they need to rest and eat to restore themselves. Ladyfish will feed in glass minnow schools and tarpon will gorge themselves on ladyfish. I have also seen tarpon, “ball” glass minnows into tight schools, and eat them by the bucket full! DOA Baitbusters, TerrorEyz and DOA Shrimp are my favorite tarpon lures this time of year. Fly anglers should score with wide profile patterns, such as Lefty’s Deceiver or EP flies. Small flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, tied on a 1/0 or 2/0 hook, are another good choice for tarpon that are feeding on glass minnows.

Snook and reds remain closed to harvest south of State Rd 64 in Manatee County on the west coast of Florida, south to the south bank of Gordon Pass in Collier County. Reds and snook are catch-andrelease only in that zone until May 31, 2022. Spotted seatrout has reopened in that zone with a threefish-per-person, bag limit and a six-fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15 inches to 19 inches with one allowed per vessel over 19 inches. Snook, trout and reds are closed to harvest through September 16 in all Manatee County waters north of State Rd 64. Full regulations and details can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/.

You should find snook this month around docks and bridges close to passes. They will also start making their move towards shallow flats, where you might find them staging along sand bars or in potholes. Surface walking topwater plugs or fly popper and Gurglers may draw some big strikes in shallow water early in the day. I often fish-lighted docks and bridges for snook before dawn before moving to the flats after daylight. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms, DOA Shrimp or small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, should all work well. The same lures and flies that work at night will be good for fishing the surf, too.

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED Thomas Mikels, of Pittsburgh, Pa., shows off a bull redfish in the 20-lb range. Caught with Captain David White of Anna Maria Charters.