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Change Of Tactics Needed

By RAY MARKHAM

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2008

GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Ray Markham.

As soon as today, we'll be seeing some changes in weather that dictate where you should be fishing, how you make your presentations and which baits to use while fishing the flats.

Continually rising water temperatures on the flats spurred fish into eating during the week. Water temps started out at about 67 degrees in the mornings in south Tampa Bay, but afternoons peaked as high as 78 degrees. This wide range of temperatures is enough to change feeding habits of fish.

The full moon's influence was a factor in creating some strong tidal movement early in the day on the incoming tide, again in the evening on the incoming, and after midnight on the big drop of the tide. Tide movement made for good feeding periods for snook, trout and flounder. We also found redfish at the top of the tide up around mangroves. Most of our fish were caught on CAL Jigs with shad tails and the MirrOlure MirrOmullet.

This weekend another cold front will drop water temperatures. Areas that are deeper, like channels, residential canals and deep potholes, should be more productive in these conditions because they provide a degree of comfort for fish looking for more stable, warmer waters. Areas with dark muddy bottoms that absorb heat from the sun will produce from midday through sundown.

Cooler water slows reactions and their need for food. Fish hunker down near the bottom. The key to your presentations should be slow. Slower-than-normal retrieves will put subsurface baits closer to the bottom and allow fish more time to chew if the offering is within their strike zone. Scale the size of your baits down, too, because appetites wane in cooler conditions.

Ray Markham co-hosts "Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live," Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. on 820 AM, and may be reached for charter at (941) 723-2655.

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