Red fish and scallops are thick

The weather has been hot in this area of the Nature Coast but so has the fishing. Not all inshore species have been cooperating , but the red fish and the scallops have been easy to find. The reds are feeding best early in the morning and start to slow down as the sun gets high in the sky. Look to the typical areas like mangrove shore line with nearby rocky bottom and saw grass. Mullet moving or jumping is a great indicator that reds will be there also. The best bite has been on baits like cut mullet, live pin fish, and live white bait. Free line these baits on a 3/0 - 4/0 close in the mullet and wait for a passing red to eat. There is still a lot of bait to be found around the channels. Chum with fish food, jack mackerel, or a combination of them both. I prefer the fish food that you get at the feed store in big bags. Store the food in a 5 gallon bucket at the house and transfer it to a smaller container you keep on your boat. Mix a little water and the chum together in a bucket to make a paste. Slowly toss a little in at a time until the bait shows up. Then with one throw of the net you will have enough bait for the day. a good aerator running non stop is needed to keep white bait alive. This has been one of the best scallops seasons I have seen in years. Good numbers of quality size bay scallops are being caught just off Hernando Beach and Bayport. Scalloper's are catching their limit in short time in 5 - 8 ft of water. Get out early and get some reds and then when the heat of the day sets in cool off by jumping in and getting your limit of scallops! Good luck out there and tight lines! Capt. Keith Tomlinson Bulldog fishin Charters www.bulldogfishin.com (352)238-3581