Chilly weather fishing

Had some happy campers on Aug. 27. Redfish were scarce inshore and we caught only one, early in the morning. Eased out a mile off the coast and scratched up some nice trout using artificials, and Karl caught his biggest ever redfish on a white worm. Not sure what that redfish was doing way off the coast, but it was a pretty one. His wife used a cork and bait, and wore out the small sharks, landing 13. And two keeper trout. Several bluefish released. We were fortunate that the only big rain shower stayed further offshore. Gulf was calm, floating seagrass moderate.

We've been doing pretty well on redfish, with schools of jack crevalle running by, and they'll hit topwaters, spoons or jigs. In the mornings, some topwater action on trout. We caught a pair of snook, last trip, and those powerful fish were carefully released. I think the season opens for them on Sept. 1. The fall mullet run is due. to kick off any day now, probably with the NE breeze we expect later this week. That should get the predators going after their favorite baitfish.

No charters the past few days, so I coaxed my neighbors out redfishing. Perfect weather, too. The guys lost the first two big redfish, a pulled hook and a broken leader, but we settled down and landed the next six. Two reds were too big to keep, 27.5 and 30 inch reds, and were released. Most reds were upper-slot fish. Also caught a 20-inch trout and a couple of sheepshead. Not bad for a four-hour trip.