Last week’s preview called for schooling reds on the Clearwater and Dunedin flats—and they showed. On our Fishing Charters this week we focused on low-water pushes along grass–sand transitions from Clearwater Beach up through the Dunedin Causeway corridor, keying on skinny troughs, pothole chains, and the first dark edges off the bars. The play was patience: find bait flicks, watch for nervous water, and set up ahead of the school instead of chasing it. Conditions Recap Mornings started on low tide and light breeze, laying the flats down just enough to see pushes at 80–100 feet. Water clarity was good with a green tint; sun helped us read potholes and ray craters where reds staged before sliding up-current. Our best windows were the last hour of the outgoing and the first 90 minutes of incoming—classic “fish have to move” periods. Where We Fished & Why We hopscotched grass/sand mosaics behind the barrier islands, then worked closer to the Causeway as water filled. On the bottom of the tide, reds grouped tight on the white plates (potholes) and on bar tips where current pinched. As the tide turned, schools pushed along edges parallel to the shoreline; we set up 40–60 yards off their lane and let the fish come to us. If wakes got jittery, we backed off and drifted with the wind to keep pressure low. Lures, Flies & Presentations Paddletails (3” NLBN) on 1/8 oz jig heads: steady medium retrieve, then pause as the school passes—most eats came right after that stall. Gold spoons (¼ oz) for covering water; tick them just above the grass and keep them moving. Jerk shads (soft plastic) on weighted hooks for ultra-skinny drifts; twitch–twitch–glide. White Leaders: 20–25 lb fluoro; if you must go lighter for a bite, check fray every fish. Results Snapshot Reds: Consistent school encounters with a handful of upper-slot fish mixed in. Best numbers came when we refused to chase and let lanes reload. Trout: Bonus bites on pothole edges during the brighter part of the morning. Snook: A couple surprise edge fish on paddletails near creek mouths as the water climbed. What Worked (Keep/Repeat) Set the trap, don’t chase: Schools settle down when they aren’t being herded. Lead farther than you think: 8–12 feet in front, not at their noses. Small, natural baits: Downsizing sealed the deal in skinny water. Quiet feet, quiet deck: One cooler slam = one departing school. What Didn’t (Skip Next Time): Topwater all morning: Fun at dawn, but they wanted subsurface once the sun hit the flats. Heavy jig heads: Dredged grass and killed the glide; 1/8 oz was the sweet spot. Charging wakes: Even one push toward the school cut our shot count in half. Family & First-Timer Notes We ran short casting clinics on the flats—pick a pothole target, lob it past, then slide the lure in. Kids loved “calling the eat” as wakes crossed the line. We rotate anglers on the bow so everybody gets clean looks and keep the deck free and clear. Captain’s Tip When a school refuses, park and wait. Reds often circle a flat on the first of the incoming; that same school may pass your lane again in 10–15 minutes. Change angle before you change lure—quartering presentations out-fished straight intercepts all week. Gear Corner (Quick Hits) 10lb Sufix 832 braid, 25 lb Yo-Zuri fluoro leader, loop knot to keep action lively. Paddletails: new penny, pearl, or greenback; gold ¼ oz spoon as a search bait. Booking & Best Windows We’re riding a late-August pattern that rewards early launches, good low tides, and quiet drifts. If you want in on the schooling action, target the last-of-outgoing / first-of-incoming and plan for stealth. Flexible? We’ll align your day to the best lane and light. Ready to go fishing? Tap BOOK MY TRIP on the site or call/text **hidden content** to lock your morning. We’ll bring the game plan, the bait, and the coaching—you bring sunglasses and excitement.

Inshore Action Heating Up! Redfish and snook are on the bite across Clearwater Bay and Tarpon Springs right now. We are seeing consistent action along mangrove shorelines, passes, and creeks, especially around moving water and structure. Snook are staging early in the day and around high tide — you’ll find them under mangrove overhangs, bridge pilings, and near inlet channels. Snook have been attacking live free-lined scaled sardines thrown under the mangroves. Redfish are holding tight to docks, oyster bars, and deeper mangrove shorelines, particularly during the higher tides. Speckled sea trout are hanging on the deeper grass flats and artificial structure, offering steady action while targeting reds and snook. With the onset of afternoon showers, cooler surface temps are improving sight-fishing clarity — making fly fishing for redfish and snook even better on calmer afternoons. What type of trip should you book right now? 4-Hour Inshore On this trip you will see Snook feeding in the mangroves and redfish schooling along dock edges — now’s the time to book your inshore redfish & snook charter with Tightlines!

As much as we focus on the Tarpon bite this time of year I love when clients want to target reds. These fish are so much fun to catch all year long!