Captain’s Corner: Tyson Wallerstein

Cold water means cold fish. Inshore anglers are going to have to slow everything way down over the next stretch of chilly days.  

The redfish and snook that were willing to chase down a live pilchard just a week ago have slowed there metabolism down and are no longer willing to expend a bunch of energy to track down a meal. For now, live shrimp will be the live bait of choice and fresh cut-baits laid out on the bottom are likely to tempt even the most stubborn of fish.  

It’s not all doom and gloom however, the cooler water and often lower tides can offer some of the best days of the year for targeting and sometimes sight-casting redfish and big trout in the shallows. Working the mid-morning to afternoon incoming tide when its occurring is prime time for winter flats fishing. Water temperatures can rise as much as ten degrees on an incoming tide under the right conditions. Making fish much more likely to chase a live shrimp, fly or soft-plastic.  

Follow the masses of pre-spawn mullet as they group up heavy in the shallows waiting for their moment to head offshore to spawn. These schools of mullet provide cover for redfish and trout making it easier for them to stalk prey.  

Casting distance is perhaps the single most important element to shallow water fishing. So, if you typically spool up with fifteen-pound braid you may want to change it out for ten, at least for the next two months. Also, with snook virtually out of play on the flat’s leader size should drop from thirty down to twenty pound.  

Capt. Tyson Wallerstein
Flats Monster Inshore Fishing
(727) 692-5868
capt.tyson@hotmail.com
www.Flatsmonster.com