Red Tide, Not a Problem Yet For Pinellas Anglers Despite the reports of dead fish washing ashore in the southern portion of Pinellas county, current test results for red tide still show that Pinellas county remains largely free of the toxic red tide algae. The test however indicate a slight presence of red tide which is no doubt concerning for all of us. Currently fishing has been very good at times through ought the Intercoastal as well as Tampa Bay. The best action is still occurring first thing in the morning especially around the full moon phase we had this past week. Redfish schools are becoming more numerous as we head into fall. With the big tides that we’ve been having the best fishing for redfish has occurred during the middle portion of the incoming tide. The redfish are quickly getting to the trees on the incoming tide as they look to forage on crabs. Target the many points along the mangrove shoreline to narrow the search. Live pilchards have worked great early in the tide and switching to cut bait either pinfish or ladyfish has produced better once the tide is up. Snook season begins the first of September. Many of the larger fish will still be found along the beaches and in the passes. Fishing with live grunts free-lined in the tide will produce best especially around the tide changes. Look for the fall transition to begin to take place around the end of the month as many of those bigger fish will set up around the spoil islands and docks along the Intercoastal as they will feed heavily on finger mullet and just about anything else as they try to put on some weight before winter comes. Offshore bottom fishing remains good for red grouper and mangrove snapper in depths of 80 to 100 foot. Target artificial structures such as the Pipeline and the many wrecks in these depths for big mangrove snapper. Chum the fish towards the surface with frozen chum blocks and cut pieces of sardines. Then either free-line or lightly weight a chunk of bait down the chum slick. Red grouper are holding over swiss cheese bottom which are just patches of harder bottom that support marine life inter mixed with sand bottom. Look for bait stacks to congregate the majority on the fish. Fish with either live or frozen bait, when your in the fish it doesn’t seem to matter much. When unable to locate bait stacks, try drifting when conditions allow.