11-14-2001, 03:05 PM
Capt. Kevin Chamberlain<br><br>We got a break from the high winds last week and fishing returned to normal here in southwest Florida. With dropping water temperatures comes improved days on the water, which is what's expected this time of year. Tides were high early, bringing low water later in the morning and, toward the end of the week, in the afternoon . Attempts to hit the shallow flats on a summer afternoon would have been fruitless, but not in the fall and winter months. <br> <br>Redfish have been reliable on North Sarasota Bay flats. Areas around Long Bar and Sister Keys have produced well. Reds to five pounds took gold spoons from the last of the outgoing tides, on into the incoming. They were scattered, but in good numbers and staging in deeper holes until the tide turned. Some holes would hold one or two, others would have as many as five or six suspended in them. Snook and trout were also laying in holes. <br> <br>After the the turn, the incoming water pushed the reds up into the shallow water. Several were tailing hard in about a foot of water around Long Bar on Wednesday, always a welcome sight. Others were chasing baits and pushing their familiar wakes. Although the situation doesn't always present itself, these fish were so preoccupied with grubbing out a crab or other feast, that getting a cast to them wasn't hard at all. Granted, we weren't throwing flies then, but that wouldn't have been too tough, either. <br> <br>As is typical, sneaking up on redfish isn't always a breeze, but when it's easy, it's welcomed. Sometimes, wading is the solution, especially when fly fishing. And, as long as the weather cooperates, scenes like these should play out more and more over the next several months. <br> <br>I fished Pine Island Sound and surrounding waters on Thursday with friend Dwayne Stevens, from Paces Place in Ft. Myers. It was a chance to learn a little about an area he knows well. We caught and released several trout with the largest coming from around Matlacha at 3 pounds. <br><br>To see photos from recent trips, click http://www.flatsangler.com.<br><br>Thanks,<br>Capt. Kevin Chamberlain<br>http://www.flatsangler.com<br>(941) 366-FISH (3474)<br><br>