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from Coastal Angler Magazine | July 2023 | Tampa Bay Edition

by Coastal Angler Magazine

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BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES

big dead shrimp. We simply cast along the grassy shoreline popping the cork and making plenty of noise with it to get the attention of the redfish. There is nothing more exciting than watching the cork disappear and your drag singing its tune.

The second method is using artificial baits. The part I enjoy most is getting a big, beautiful redfish to eat something that is not natural to them. It’s not easy and takes patience, but the reward is knowing you did it your way. We use the Saltwater Assassin Shrimp on a 1/8-ounce jig head. The color of the jig head doesn’t matter as it is mostly to add some weight to the artificial bait.

The third method is using the same method as with a dead shrimp, but replace the dead shrimp with a Saltwater Assassin Shrimp under a popping cork.

I tried the same methods here in the Tampa Bay area using the popping cork and artificials with success but, to my surprise, the trout went wild on the flats. It also increased my flounder catch, or maybe it was luck.

Here in Tampa Bay, I used a combo rigged with a 4-Horsemen cork and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. The leader length should be about six inches shorter than the depth of water. The idea is to drift an area popping the cork once, wait a few seconds and do it again. Once you get a strike, drop your Power Poles and work all around the boat. Start another drift when the bite quits.

Tackle:

• 4-Horsemen Float.

• Combo rig using artificial shrimp.

• Saltwater Assassin Shrimp Cocktail in light beer color.

• 761M-FG 7 ½ foot medium action rod like the Okuma SRT Inshore Elite rod.

• Helios 3000 Okuma reel.

• Fins 15-pound Windtamer braided line.

— Capt. Sergio Atanes is host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report on Facebook and YouTube every Monday night 7-8 p.m. live. He is also host to Aventuras De Pesca USA on national TV and Radio Show. reelfishing.com

Email: atanes@msn.com | Phone: 813-973-7132