Capt. Hemmer's tips: September 10

The mackerel have been thick over the hard bottom that runs from Egmont Key to Clearwater. As long as the wind blows out of the east, the mackerel should stay close to shore. The best way to target the mackerel is to use live whitebait. Stuff your live well with bait and drive down the beach until you see birds working the surface. Then look under the birds to see if Mac’s are striking the surface. When you see the strikes, start tossing handfuls of live whitebaits to the mackerel. They should start feeding on your baits. Rig a lightweight rod with 30lb leader and a long shank hook and cast it into the action. You will need to keep throwing live baits into the action so the mackerel won’t leave. Most of the mackerel schools will have sharks hanging with the school. Use a chunk of mackerel and rig it to a large reel that has a wire leader. Free-line the mackerel chunk behind the boat if you want to tangle with one of the sharks.

The redfish action has been outstanding. Most of the mangrove shorelines and swash islands are holding reds. The best action will be near the mullet schools. Pinfish under a cork will get their attention. The best way to get the school feeding is to chum them with live whitebait. Throw handfuls of bait around the mullet until you get some surface strikes. Cast the baits where you see the strikes.

Trout are feeding in 3 to 4 feet of water that have a mixture of sand and grass. We are catching them on dark green jigs worked close to the bottom. Cast the jigs where the sand meets the grass. Work the jig slowly along the grass line and set the hook when you feel a thump.