At one of our recent monthly meetings, Captain Rafa got us ready for Fall & Winter fishing. During this time, our Tampa Bay fishing playground begins to slow down. Bait Fish are a little more scarce on the flats and we’ll have to work a little harder (or smarter) to bring in our trophies. Shrimp are harder to get and many anglers begin turning towards artificial jigs and different strategies. The key is to keep trying something different if what you are doing isn’t working. I’ve bullet-pointed his most important Fall/Winter Fishing suggestions:
- Use jig heads that are pink or yellow that have rounded heads to avoid picking up turtle grass.
- Use a loop knot to attach your artificials. Gives a more realistic presentation to the fish.
- Favorite colors for baits: root beer, watermelon, bone color for night fishing.
- Use a drop of crazy glue to hold your baits on the jig head.
- Shrimp jelly (“Smelly Jelly”) is one of his favorites.
- Artificial crabs is another artificial bait that works well for him.
- Favorite brands: DOA, Strike King, Gulp, and Tsunami. A member favorite seemed to be Got-Cha lures.
On the Reef, Captain Rafa suggested using a chum bag to gain every advantage. You can buy them frozen at the Little Harbor Marine Store. Sheepshead will be back at the Reef in November but until then if you’re out early, he recommended a MirrOlure for top water fishing. Consider changing your strategy by 10:30 am and go to jigs. An important proverb during our Fall Fishing is this: if you’re not on the bite, change your strategy.
