Captain’s Corner: Tyson Wallerstein

The Tampa Bay Times

Calm conditions over the past several days have helped to clear up near-shore waters. An abundance of baitfish of all types and sizes has settled close to shore attracting schools of Spanish mackerel.  

Areas of bait can easily be identified by finding active birds. Anglers can troll live baits or spoons through the area or anchor up and chum the fish to the boat with live bait.  

Small single hook Clark or Squid spoons in silver or gold trolled behind a 1-to-2-ounce trolling sinker with medium spinning tackle works great for mackerel.  

Cast netting an abundance of pilchards for a Spanish mackerel session has been quite easy this past week. There is plenty of bait cruising the shallow grass flats inshore as well as just off the beach in the swash channel. Most of the bait is still on the small side so a quarter inch mesh net is recommended.  

This is the time of year that we begin to see lower tides. These negative tides can provide excellent fishing for redfish, trout, and other gamefish through ought the Intercoastal waterway. With all the exposed areas during these low tides it’s easy to see where the fish might be holding. Set up along the shallow outside edge of a flat and cast into deeper water. Move along methodically when casting artificial lures and stay stationary when chumming with live bait. If you put in your time eventually, you’ll attract the fish to your area.  
Capt. Tyson WallersteinFlats Monster Inshore Fishing
(727) 692-5868
capt.tyson@hotmail.com
www.Flatsmonster.com