Southshore Adventures: Fishing Chronicles Season 1 Episode 6

 

Exploring Prime Southshore Fishing Spots

Join Captain Sergio Atanes for an unforgettable Southshore adventure as he teams up with local fishing guide Captain Brandon to explore the productive waters around Bishop Harbour and the South Shore cockroach area. This episode of Captain Sergio’s Fishing Chronicles takes you deep into Tampa Bay’s hidden mangrove islands, where the pair discover that sometimes the best fishing secrets come from thinking outside the box. If you’re looking for authentic Florida inshore fishing action, this Southshore adventure delivers incredible catches and valuable lessons that every angler can take to the water. Captain Brandon brings his years of local knowledge to this Southshore adventure, guiding Sergio to spots he hasn’t fished in nearly two decades. The location features excellent tidal flow along the shoreline, with water pushing into mangrove-lined cuts and pockets that create perfect ambush points for gamefish. These natural features concentrate baitfish in the trees during high water, making lazy feeding easy for predators like snook, redfish, and trout. The area’s dead branches extending into the water reminded Sergio of similar productive structure around Boer Van and Pine Island, proving that understanding habitat is key to consistent fishing success. With winds at their backs and the tide beginning to move, conditions seemed perfect for an action-packed morning on the water.

The Cut Bait Discovery That Changed Everything

What makes this Southshore adventure truly special is the unexpected fishing technique that emerged during the day. Whilst Brandon initially fished with live pinfish, Sergio noticed his live baits weren’t producing strikes. The pinfish were getting picked apart, but the predators weren’t committing. That’s when Sergio made a game-changing decision—he started using dead cut bait on the bottom. By simply breaking the tail off dead pinfish and whitebait, removing the air from their bladders, and letting them sink naturally, he created an irresistible presentation. The cut tail released extra scent into the water whilst the bait stayed perfectly positioned on the bottom. The results were immediate and impressive, with multiple redfish and snook falling for the technique. Even Brandon, who was struggling with live bait, switched to cut bait and instantly hooked up with a beautiful redfish.

Multiple Species and Valuable Fishing Lessons

Throughout this Southshore adventure, the anglers targeted and caught all three of Tampa Bay’s premier inshore species. Snook cruised the mangrove edges, redfish prowled the pockets and grass flats, and trout patrolled the slightly deeper water nearby. Sergio landed numerous fish on cut bait, including a lovely 20-inch redfish that took an old piece of dead bait from the bottom of the live well. The episode perfectly demonstrates that fishing isn’t always about having the freshest live bait—sometimes the fish want an easy meal sitting motionless on the bottom. Sergio’s willingness to experiment and Brandon’s local expertise combined to create an educational and entertaining fishing experience. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting out, this episode offers practical techniques you can apply immediately. The Beaver Tail Vengeance skiff proved perfect for navigating the shallow backcountry waters, running in just seven inches whilst providing excellent casting platforms for working the mangrove structure. Don’t miss this exciting episode that proves sometimes the best fishing discoveries happen when you’re willing to adapt and try something different on the water.