ca2Assisting anglers to achieve more success and reach their goals, through one-on-one instruction, has always been a passion for Capt. C.A. Richardson.  His unique teaching style and professional manner puts his clients at ease and ready to learn the finer points of inshore fishing.  With more than ten years of pro-level tour experience… he’s ready to share with you the tips, strategies, and secrets used on the pro tours and on the ever popular Flats Class TV show.  Capt. C.A. Richardson not only spends countless hours teaching and guiding clients in various locales but is available and performs dozens of speaking engagements throughout the Gulf coast.  Come join him for a day of “on the water” instruction that will make you the angler you’ve always wanted to be!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Bucktail Jigs… Oldies but Goodies!

by C.A. Richardson on March 8, 2010

Post image for Bucktail Jigs… Oldies but Goodies!

Recently, at the Frank Sargeant Outdoor Expo, a fan walked up and asked me what my “Top 5” confidence baits would be for fishing inshore.  I thoughtfully considered his question for a moment… then confidently replied “A top water plug, 3” soft plastic paddle tail, ¼ ounce gold spoon, Mirro-dine twitch bait, and probably a small bucktail jig… I’d have to say are definitely my “go-to” baits.”  He remarked, “I’m very surprised that you included a bucktail jig in that group… why a bucktail?”  I closed with “Bucktail jigs are oldies but goodies… they have caught more fish for me personally then almost any other lure, particularly snook.”  We shared a few more fishing tales from our past then bid good-bye and shook hands.  But he left me with the impression that his next tackle purchase just might include the reliable bucktail jig.

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Fishing Report-Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater

March 3, 2010
Thumbnail image for Fishing Report-Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater

Get ready the weather is about to warm-up and the fishing is going to catch fire.  I’ve been hearing decent fishing reports coming from down in Englewood all the way up to the Tarpon Springs area.  But I can tell you from my perspective… that Tampa Bay is loaded with redfish and solid trout fishing right now.

Read the full article →

Docks… Inshore Fish Magnets!

March 1, 2010
Thumbnail image for Docks… Inshore Fish Magnets!

If there is one pattern that anglers can always count on it has to be dock fishing.  Dock fishing produces plenty of action year round whether it is winter-time sheephead or late evening dock light fishing during the summer for speckled trout or snook.  Docks truly are the consummate fish magnet!

Read the full article →

Swim It… Don’t Jig It

February 22, 2010
Thumbnail image for Swim It… Don’t Jig It

A common mistake I’ve observed with many new artificial bait enthusiasts is that they over work the lure.  When a lure has too much action, it does not appear to be natural prey and doesn’t get the interest of most game fish… in fact it often spooks them away!

Read the full article →

Sealing the Deal with Scent

February 13, 2010
Thumbnail image for Sealing the Deal with Scent

There is no denying it scent definitely helps when targeting redfish… it’s the number one reason  why cut-bait like mullet, ladyfish, and threadfin are so popular among most redfish anglers.  The challenge that cut-bait and most built-in scent infused soft plastic baits have is that they are most effective at rest or dragged ever so [...]

Read the full article →

Tackle Review: Mirrodine 17MR

February 8, 2010
Thumbnail image for Tackle Review: Mirrodine 17MR

Over the years I have field tested and reported on dozens of quality hard baits… but the one plug that has gained my respect the most is the Mirrodine 17MR.  This little compact suspending twitch bait is absolutely perfect for fishing shallow water and allows my clients to catch trout, redfish, and snook with just [...]

Read the full article →

Equipment Review: Raymarine A-Series (A70D)

February 1, 2010
Thumbnail image for Equipment Review: Raymarine A-Series (A70D)

A good GPS and fish finder are invaluable to the complete inshore sportsman… the ability to have real-time detailed satellite map info and HD sonar capability make finding the big ones a simple push of a button.  I also truly appreciate the reliability, simplicity, and rugged construction that Raymarine’s A70D gives me on the tour [...]

Read the full article →

Affordable vs. High Dollar Optics!

January 25, 2010
Thumbnail image for Affordable vs. High Dollar Optics!

A question I get from fans of Flats Class TV on a regular basis is, “What brand of sunglasses do you and Ray prefer”?   The answer is varied quite honestly because every individual’s needs are different but generally speaking… style, comfort, and cost are the mitigating factors for most selections.  Flats Class TV has not [...]

Read the full article →

Get Serious about Big Trout!

January 14, 2010
Thumbnail image for Get Serious about Big Trout!

Of all the game fish we target on Flats Class TV and me in my guide business… big “gator-sized” speckled trout are definitely my favorite species to pursue!  It takes extra effort and planning to catch these wily fish who can often detect an angler from 50 yards away in shallow water.  And once on [...]

Read the full article →

Tackle Review: Daiwa TD Fuego3000A

January 10, 2010
Thumbnail image for Tackle Review: Daiwa TD Fuego3000A

Because I spend so much of my time fishing small soft plastics and finesse hard baits in pressured waters… I have found a real need for a reliable, light-weight, and sturdy saltwater spinning reel.I finally discovered this need last fall when Daiwa sent me the new TD Fuego3000A spinning reel to be field tested.  

Read the full article →