In Our Most Active Storm Season… We Must Be Prepared

When hurricanes and tropical storms threaten our coastlines; it serves as a reminder to everyone living on or near the coast to be properly prepared especially as the hurricane season enters what typically is its most active period.

First, review your insurance policy with your provider. Make sure your insurance is current and in force. Many or most policies require the policy holder to take certain precautions and actions you should take in the event of a storm.

Often boat owners are required to relocate their vessels out of a hurricane zone. Know if your marine insurance requires you to relocate the vessel and by what date specified in your policy.

People who do not plan to relocate their boats should have a Hurricane Plan detailing where and how your boat must be secured during a hurricane. Your insurer may even require this. If you live out of the area during the summer months, designate a responsible person to execute the plan in your absence.

Also, check the lease or dockage agreement with your marina, storage facility or private dock owner where your boat is moored making certain the vessel can remain there during a hurricane. If it can stay, be sure you know the procedure for securing not only your vessel, but those docked around it. A boat that breaks loose in a hurricane can wreak chaos on nearby vessels.

Some facilities demand that boats be removed from the water when a major storm is forecast. Owners who must move their boats should decide where to have it hauled before the hurricane season begins. Charges for storm haul-outs may be covered by your insurance policy.

Don’t wait until a storm is imminent as it is certain that service providers in the marine industry will have already prepared and secured their equipment and facilities for the storm and are no longer available to assist you.

10 Additional Tips for Hurricane Preparedness

1. Closely monitor local and national weather services including NOAA Weather Radio and NOAA online (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml).
2. Make an inventory, preferably by video, of all valuable fixed items such as marine electronics on board your boat.
3. Store all the boat’s important documents, including your marine insurance policy, in a secure place off the vessel.
4. When a storm is forecast for your area, remove all detachable items from your boat, such as canvas, sails, and cushions, fishing rigging, radios and antennas. Lash down everything that you cannot remove, including booms, tillers, wheels, etc.
5. Deflate your dinghy and store it and its outboard off the boat. If it’s a fiberglass dinghy, have it stored in an indoor facility.
6. If your boat is on a trailer, lash it securely. Use tie-downs to anchor the trailer to the ground, let the air out of its tires and weigh down the frame.
7. If your boat is in a facility with shore power, be sure all power is turned off and all shore power cords are stowed securely. Disconnect your boat’s battery.
8. Boats docked in a marina or in a private berth should be centered in the slip. Double-up all dock lines and make sure they are of sufficient length to compensate for excessive high water.
9. Anchored boats should have enough scope. Inspect all anchor ropes and chain and use only good or new gear. Set extra anchors as necessary.

Do not stay with your boat or try to ride out a storm on board. No matter how valuable your vessel is to you, both financially and sentimentally, it’s not worth your life.

Let’s Start Off with the Bait Situation: Especially Greenbacks – For some reason we’ve not figured out yet, greenbacks are eluding us around the bay. One day they’re on the flats the next day they are gone. Also this year we’ve not seen the small fry yet; unless it’s going to be a late spawn.

The only consistent location seems to be the Skyway Bridge and particularly the south fishing pier. However the water is exceptionally clear and unless you’re throwing a larger heavy net the bait tends to run out from under the others. You also have to contend with those strong tide days where it takes at least a 20 pound net to get down to the bait before it collapses with the current. Then there are the dolphins that are now grabbing your nets when they are full of bait. Not only does it destroy the net, but it can pull you overboard if you’re not careful. Really makes using shrimp much more appealing.

Spotted Sea Trout: We are catching some really beautiful trout throughout the bay. Many are in the upper teens and some low twenties. Apparently they are eating well because they are fat and healthy with some weighing 3 to 4 lbs. Key points to remember are circle hooks, light leader, moving water and popping corks.

Greenbacks, shrimp and artificial lures are doing the trick for me on broken bottom grass flats. I’m either free lining them or fishing them under a popping cork. The artificial’s seemed to work best with a twitch and retrieve method especially through and around pot holes on grass flats.

Spanish Mackerel & King Mackerel: Spanish mackerel is still plentiful around the bay and near shore in the Gulf. With plenty of threadfins schooling throughout the bay there is plenty of food and the mackerel seem to be on an endless feeding frenzy. Sky rocketing fish and diving birds are a sure indicator of feeding fish. Threadfins, greenback, shrimp or any shiny artificial lure will catch plenty. Don’t forget the sharp teeth on these big bruisers so, tackle up with at least 60 lb. Seaguar fluorocarbon and shiny longshank Daiichi hooks and it’s off to the races.

Redfish:  We’re beginning to see some decent action using greenbacks, shrimp, and artificial lures and cut bait. As I said last week using cut bait, or the dead sticking method is not my favorite way to fish; there’s not enough action for me. I tend to equate it to watching paint dry. It’s a matter fishing quietly, slowly and of course being in the right spot. It often takes an intensive game plan that involves several moves before you find a productive area and them it might be they’re just not eating when you’re out there. Don’t forget the docks on high water and be quiet.

Snook: (Season Closed Catch & Release Only) According to reports and my own experience the snook are definitely making a showing around the bay area. I’m actually not targeting them as I’ve decided to give them a break during the hot summer weather. We really need to get our population built back up. 

Cobia, Mangrove Snapper, Flounder, and Sharks: The cobias are showing on markers, flats and buoy cans especially those holding bait. Mangrove snapper is picking up on the artificial reefs and should continue as the water stays warm. I’m anticipating a good snapper bite all summer. We’re also catching some nice southern flounder on the same rocky bottoms artificial reefs.

The shark bite been exceptional especially when mackerel fishing. We’ve had several large black tips and two huge bulls, so far this summer.

Tarpon fishing has been thriving at the Skyway Bridge, Egmont, and Bean Point and along the beach and passes. They are also starting to migrate up the bay; I already seen some showing up around the Gandy Bridge. 

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing”

 Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; I offer world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, I can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell me what you need and it’s done.

My website is: CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give me a call at 813-477-3814.

Redfish   June produces some good redfish days around the flats of Tampa Bay. The Kitchen, Simmons Park and Joe Island offer great starting points. Cockroach Bay, Simmons Park, Bishops Harbor, Ft. Desoto, Miguel Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, and Pinellas Point Flats also produce good catches. Heavy pushes and mullet schools are key factors in finding feeding redfish. Finding redfish means covering lots of water and once located they do not venture too far if there is food present. Bear in mind as long as there is food there is fish. Live greenbacks, dollar-size pinfish and cut bait work and are good choices. Do not forget the old standby… live shrimp.

Spotted Sea Trout  Trout fishing continues remaining strong through the summer. Search out deep grass flats looking for grass beds with plenty of broken bottom or potholes. Tampa Bay offers good fishing, so check areas like the Pinellas Flats, Veterans Flats, Joes Island, Bishops Harbor, Piney Point, Culbreath and Cockroach using live shrimp and greenbacks free lining or under popping corks. The many broken-bottom flats with potholes produce large fish and an occasional flounder.

Cobia Markers and sandy flats are good places for Cobia. They frequent markers especially those holding bait and also cruise the flats usually following a large Stingrays. When fishing markers, keeping a chum bag over the side should bring them running not to mention large Spanish mackerel filling the bay this month.

Tarpon Tarpon fishing really comes alive in June. They are everywhere and they are hungry, from the beach to the bay, these fish offer the catch of a lifetime. Large Greenbacks, Threadfins, and crabs, found abundantly in the bay, are excellent choices for bait. Tarpon fishing around the Tampa area is good through the summer from the beaches all the way to the causeway. If you are into night fishing almost any bridge holds fish along the light-line however, landing one presents another challenge especially at night.

Snook (Season closed)Snook fishing in the summer is almost a given. Practically every angler is looking to catch them and given the amount of fishing pressure especially during weekends it is a wonder they bite at all. Practically any mangrove shoreline holds snook provided there is bait and structure. Terrific ambush feeders Snook lie in wait along shady mangrove root systems. Rocky shores and adjacent sand bars are also good places to investigate when looking for snook. Early morning flats produce well using topwater lures and live greenbacks always produce.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.  Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.

There is nothing difficult about keeping fish in first class condition from the time their caught until the time they’re cooked and what a difference it makes to the taste.

Recreational or sport fishing anglers are always ready to jump up and down about any attempts to reduce their right to catch a mess of fresh fish for dinner. Then how come, so many of those same anglers who jump on their soap boxes and vociferously voice their opinion about this right, so often bring home fish that are often an inedible travesty of the original delight they caught?

The summer months seem to be the worse simply because the heat has such a devastating effect on any catch that is left unattended.

Anglers often forget and take little precaution to protect the freshness of the fish they plan on eating. They toss them into a fish box or un-iced cooler where the fish slowly struggles as it drowns in the air. Then as more fish are caught they are thrown on top of the already dead and dying fish. By the time the anglers gets to shore sometimes five to eight hours later they have a spoiled mess on their hands that certainly should not be eaten. Simply put, the fish have literally cooked in their own blood and slime. Now there is nothing left to do, but discard the rotting carcasses.

If we’re not going to do it right we shouldn’t be doing it at all… Many anglers would be better advised to fish on an exclusively catch-and-release basis only. If they wanted to have some fish for dinner they could stop by the local market and buy some on the way home. The fish in the market would most likely be in much better condition than the amateur’s catch.

The fact is, if we have any right to demand a stake in the way our fishery is managed. And that a significant piece of that fishery is reserved to ensure that recreational and fishing anglers can indeed continue to catch fish for dinner; then it is also true that we must use our share with care. That share must not only be controlled and managed by the obvious measures now in place such as catch limits, and the like. But also by ensuring that the fish we choose to take to the table are in prime eating condition.

If you were buying fish at the local fish market, the rules for checking the condition of the fish are simple. The same rules should apply to fish coming to the cleaning table after a day on the water in your boat.

• Are the eyes clear and bright? Cloudy or dull eyes are signs are the fish has not been treated right after it was caught.
• Is the flesh solid and ‘bouncy’ to the touch? When pressed and released does the flesh bounce back into shape? Soft flabby flesh means it is bruised, or beginning to decompose, or both.
• Is the fish slimy? Excessive slime is a sure sign the fish has been allowed to overheat and is beginning to decompose.
• Does the fish stink? A strong, putrid, fishy smell means the fish is decomposing. Fresh fish in good condition have a clean fishy smell, not unpleasant, or strong.

There is no reason we cannot produce fish in prime condition when we start preparing them for the table. The simple facts are that to produce table fish in prime condition we simply follow four easy steps.

First Step – fill an insulated cooler with ice, lots of ice.

Second Step – as fish come over the side, kill them right away with, preferably with a solid whack over the eyes with a fish club. Then place them in the cooler and cover with ice.

Second Step (Option) – However, If you have a freshwater circulated water livewell place the fish in the livewell and keep them alive as long as possible. 

Third step – Add some water to the insulated cooler along with the ice and drop the dead fish into this slurry as they are caught or die. Keep adding ice as needed.

Fourth step – Whenever time permits, remove the stomach contents and drop the fish back into the slurry.

Following these simple steps has very real advantages.

Because the flesh is chilled down, when the time comes to prepare the fish, the job is much easier. The fish will not be slimy, which means cleaning is easier, more efficient and filleting is especially a breeze.

Many people, who have trouble filleting fish, find the difficulty comes from slimy soft flesh making it hard to make a clean full cut. It’s much easier when the flesh has some consistency and firmness.

Preparing fish for the table also becomes more pleasant when there is little or no odor. Cooking fish should be an appetizing smell. I know many people who do not like eating fish because of bad past experiences. The cooking odor of foul-smelling fish is an integral part of taste, because our brain usually relates a bad smell to a bad taste.

But by far and away the biggest bonus will be in the taste. There is little to compare with the taste of fresh fish that has been well cared for since capture, especially fish that we have caught ourselves. For me that is one of the true joys of fishing.

Despite the very real problems in our saltwater fisheries, in comparison with most other places in the world ours is a dream fishery. The ability to take to the sea with a realistic anticipation of hooking into a nice catch of fish is one of the things that make our area unique. To mistreat the fish we choose to keep is an abuse of this right and privilege.

Give Me a Call and Let’s Go Fishing If you’re interested in learning to fish the bay area… Captain Woody’s been guiding and fishing Florida waters for over 50 year’s providing single boat charters for up to 4 anglers or multiple boats for large group events. And the results are always the same “Memorable Fishing Adventures with Tampa’s Top Guide”.

For more information or to book a trip, visit my website at: www.captainwoodygore.com, you can also reach me on my cell at: 813-477-3814 or office at: 813-982-2034. My Email address is wgore@ix.netcom.com

Snook: (Season Closed Catch & Release Only). Normally snook are heading out of their winter hideouts and looking for something to eat. As the water temperatures rise they become more active and start moving into their summertime patterns. We usually begin seeing the whitebait start showing up in March, so get out that cast net, get the holes patched and do a couple of practice throws. Look for Snook to pattern along outside edges and points along mangrove islands and shorelines especially where tidal flows move bait. Live bait, suspending lures, topwater’s and soft plastics always produce.

Redfish: There’s nothing more exciting to a redfish angler than easing onto a shallow grass flat and seeing fish tails waving in the air. March should bring some early redfish activity as they will also begin looking to enjoy a health warm water meal. Nature provided redfish with exceptional eyesight and hearing, so it’s a quiet low profile for some serious stalking. Never throw into the middle of a school always try picking off the outside fish first. Mullet schools you’ve heard it before and you’ll keep hearing it; is a key factor in locating feeding redfish. Redfish follow schooling mullet eating the baits they stir up so, fishing these mullet schools usually produces. Live bait, suspending lures, topwater’s and soft plastics always yield good redfish catches. While some anglers use the dead stick method with cut ladyfish, mullet or chunks of crab.

Spotted Sea Trout: March still produces good trout bites, especially on incoming or outgoing tides. I cannot emphasize the excitement of using topwater lures on calm early morning flats. Trout love the MirrOLure’s 7M series, Top Dog and new MirrOMullet. Twitch or “walk-the-dog” and pause the lure momentarily after each series. Also check out live shrimp under a popping cork or free-lined with a small split shot. If you run out of shrimp the gulp 3” works great under a popping cork. Just hook it in the same place as a live one; at the back of the head.

Sheepshead: Are showing up almost everywhere especially around docks and canals. These tough, toothy, boney mouths mean aggressive hook sets. Try fishing for these great fighters around markers, bridge fenders, docks, seawalls, rock piles, oyster bars or practically any type structure. Shrimp and fiddler crabs always produce, but green mussels and oysters also work. I like shrimp. I break a live shrimp in half and thread the tail onto a #1 hook, then hook the head crosswise behind it under the horn. Add enough weight to get it to the bottom and lift it up about a foot or so and hang on.

If you’re interested in learning to fish the bay area…“GIVE ME A CALL & LET’S GO FISHING” Captain Woody’s been guiding and fishing Florida waters for over 50 year’s providing single boat charters for up to 4 anglers or multiple boats for large group events. And the results are always the same “Memorable Fishing Adventures with Tampa’s Top Guide”.

For more information or to book a trip, visit my website at: www.captainwoodygore.com, you can also reach me on my cell at: 813-477-3814 or office at: 813-982-2034. My Email address is wgore@ix.netcom.com

Overall fishing has been good in the bay area with plenty of Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead being caught. A few Cobias reported around the power plants and plenty of smaller Black Tip, Bull, Bonnet, and Hammerhead sharks willing to give you a tug. Without the colder water temps needed send them looking for warm water they are not as bunched up as usual. But when they are you can bet you’ll have plenty of company fishing the warm water runoffs. Shrimp always work and using a small jig head makes it easy to sight cast the fish.

The grouper bites been fairly healthy, inside the bay. I’ve had the most success trolling various rock piles and structure in and around the 20 to 25 foot range. Many Gag hunters think the only place to catch inshore gags is the shipping channels. Plenty of structure around if you’ll only take time to look for it on your bottom machine. Try this, when you catch a gag, mark the location and go back to see what kind of bottom you came over. Often a pinfish, grunt, sardine or piece of squid dropped down on a knocker rig at the same location will produce other nice fish.

Snook (Still Closed): The cold water has the snook bite pretty much on hold. Of course you can always dredge up a couple if you look and fish hard enough, but why bother. Give them a break until the water warms up and they get a chance to recover from the winter temperatures.  

Redfish: Reds continue being active in the cooler water. They’re not as big as usual and I’m getting plenty of reports that rat reds are running around with the occasional group of larger fish hanging around grass flats with broken bottom, submerged oyster bars and mangrove shorelines and canals and channels. Live shrimp seem to be the bait of choice, but artificial’s like the 3” gulp shrimp still works.

Spotted Sea Trout: Trout action should continue on the upswing with cooler water temperatures. The larger fish should start pushing onto the flats from deep water. Fish the stronger tides around deep water flats and rocky islands. They’ll be eating shrimp, small pinfish soft plastic lures either free-lined or under a popping cork. Remember, the bite always comes as the baits begin to fall, so don’t be surprised to have a fish on just after the lure hits the water. The MirrOdine from MirrOlure is one of the best trout lures you can fish. Fish it using a slow methodic retrieve and hang on.

Cobia: Don’t be surprised to see a one on the back of large Rays and Manatees. As the waters cool you should see them around the hot water discharges of power plants. Large shrimp on a ¼ oz. jig-head normally does the trick. But small or chunk crab also works. Keep a larger gulp eel rigged for a quick cast should you come across one sunning while running the open water.

Sharks: also frequent the warm water discharges this time of year so don’t be surprise when you catch one while targeting Cobia.

Sheepshead will show up everywhere during the winter months. Try fishing for these great fighters around markers, bridge fenders, docks, seawalls, fish attractors, rock piles, oyster bars or practically any type structure. Shrimp and fiddler crabs always produce, but green mussels and oysters also work.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.  Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.

I’m often asked which, is my favorite season to fish.  Reflecting on the question, I’ve discovered that anytime I can get out and fish it’s a good thing. Nevertheless, if I had to pin point a specific time, it would most likely be the early and late fall. While we don’t have the magnificent color changes like our northern neighbors we do get some awesome weather patterns. Early mornings are cool and there’s usually a light fog lifting from the water. Could it get any better, for an avid artificial lure angler, like me… probably not? Overall, it’s God’s way of saying thanks big guy for enduring the hot days of summer.

Some folks really enjoy sports and often remark that autumn is time for watching football games. While I agree to a point, let me tell you that getting on the water especially, at day break is one of the most wonderful sites you’ll every witness. The anticipation of working a topwater lure over a broken-bottom grass flat can be both exhilarating and breathtaking.

Long ago, my good friend, Captain Mike Anderson, and I discovered that in Florida we can do both. We’d get started early, share some quality time discussing solutions to the world’s problems while tossing artificial lures to snook and redfish. After several hours of relaxation, and solutions we’d head home to eat lunch with the family and catch our favorite football games.

Is Fall Fishing Easier: Perhaps so, but it can be challenging at times. To me, fish seem more catchable during the fall, because the water is cooling, which signals the onset of winter. To sustain the cooler winter temperature and sometime shortage of food supplies, fish need to bulk up which, means adding fat and to do this they need to eat. This brings up another point about fall patterns; the plentiful summer bait schools seem to disappear. With its departure comes the likelihood that fish will eat your artificial lures.

Fall and winter tides often make navigation a bit interesting particularly when looking for enough water to fish. Fortunately, low tide days also make it fairly simple to find them if you know where to look. They’re staged in deeper holes, canals, rivers, or depressions waiting for the next incoming tide. I often tell anglers, there’s one good thing about low fall and winter tide; at least you know where you’re not fishing. 

What’s Biting on Tampa Bay in January?

Snook: If you’re determined to target snook this month be prepared to fish several locations. They’ll be around, but usually not bunched up like early spring. The water temperatures start falling as we into our colder months and when this happens, snook normally migrate toward warmer waters. Unless they get caught in an early winter chill or prolonged cold period like 2009, they should be ok. Many will move into rivers, channels, deep creeks and deeper estuaries. Like other fish with low tolerances for cold water they move to areas with deep muddy bottoms. Muddy bottoms hold heat; and it’s for this reason that it attracts baitfish and fish that eat them.

Redfish: December usually means good redfish days. We’ll be targeting them around oyster beds, mangroves and shallow water pools on those low tide days. Wading is a great way to fish winter redfish. Like other species, redfish will drop into the tidal pools left when the winter tides expose everything else. The most certain thing to remember about winter tides is; at least you know where you’re not fishing. Redfish will be eating all types of live and cut bait as we approach the winter months. They’re also fairly easy to catch using artificial lures. If you’ve never used artificial lures, do yourself a favor and give it a try. If you’re out the excitement of catching and releasing; artificial lures offer you a chance to pit wits with one of the toughest competitors in the bay. 

Spotted Sea Trout: Winter usually signals the beginning of trout season. Hundreds of anglers take to the water to catch this beautiful fish. Typically, a schooling fish where you catch one you’ll usually catch several. One point to remember is when you’re catching 12 to 15 inch fishing that’s normally what’s in that particular location. Larger trout are not a fast on the trigger as the smaller ones, so they elect not to compete, but rather hangout alone, watching a pothole for a quick meal. If you’re using live shrimp just hop and pop it over a broken bottom grass flat and shortly you’ll have a limit for dinner. Trout are loads of fun on artificial lures and I’ve caught some really nice fish tossing jerk baits to sandy potholes. With artificials you have the opportunity to cover more area thus exposing your lure to more fish.  

Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish, Bluefish, & Mangrove Snapper: Travel across the bay and you’ll pass no less than 10 to 15 schools of feeding fish. Usually the first thing you’ll see is birds eating the leftovers of the feeding frenzy. These schools of feeding fish usually consist of ladyfish, mackerel, bluefish and jacks. Many anglers turn their noses up at these species thinking they’re junk fish. Granted ladyfish and jacks are not decent table fare, grilled or smoked mackerel and fried bluefish are excellent. For some great rod bending action these species make an excellent quarry, especially for beginning anglers and anglerette’s. When introducing children to fishing it’s important to take them catching… they’re not interested in fishing. If you don’t get them on a bite quickly they lose interest and probably won’t want to go next time.

The kingfish and mackerel will be hit or miss along the beach around hard bottoms holding bait. Snapper are on the markers and fish attractors and also around bridges and older established docks. Small pilchards and shrimp seem to do the trick.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories. Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.  Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.

I can’t believe it 2012 already it seems like the years just fly by.

As people get into fishing they often think it’s some kind of sport or hobby that involves bait, rod and reel, and then heading off to a nearby stretch of water; where they throw in a line and wait for an unsuspecting fish to bite their hook.

Many times these people will catch fish, but probably not to the potential they might like; when done correctly consistently catching fish is often more difficult than simply baiting a hook and tossing it in the water.  When done successfully there are many things to consider. Some are the same as when you make purchases on anything else around the house. You might ask “where is a good place to go for big screen television?” In the same way all retailers don’t sell the same model televisions; certain waters hold certain types of fish. Since businesses have certain business hours in which their customers can make a purchase; the same holds true for fish. Only with fish it’s called feeding times. If you figure out and understand feeding times and fish during those times, you’re likely to catch fish.

Learning this information can take time because each species has many different variables.  While many have the same or similar characteristics; still they are all individual fish species, so there are going to be differences between them. Some fish feed at different times, some prefer a high tide and some an incoming tide, some prefer fish baits and some prefer shrimp and some you’ll only find in winter and others in summer and that’s only a few of the variables. When you begin figuring it out, it starts to make sense and you can experiment with different methods of fishing.

One popular method around the flats is site fishing. While it’s a great way to fish you really don’t have to sight fish to catch snook and redfish. Many anglers simply toss their bait to places where the fish are likely to be. The ideal place to find snook and redfish is along an undulating mangrove shoreline, but not just any shoreline. There miles of shoreline surrounding Tampa Bay; and for this reason you need to narrow down your choices by looking for the places where birds and especially egrets are feeding especially on low tides, it’s a dead give away the when the water returns fish will follow. They’re after the same small bait fish, crabs and sand worms that the reds and snook are eating.” If there aren’t any birds around, fish around overhanging branches or where trees have fallen into the water.

The time of year also determines where to fish. Snook follow a well-defined pattern. During the coldest months of the year, usually January and February, most snook move up the tidal rivers, often ending up in small water fresh water creeks. In March, as the water begins to warm, snook move towards the coast. During this time you can find them inside, as locals call the inland bays and creeks or outside, which refers to the tidal channels and bays closer to theGulf of Mexico.

By May and continuing through October, snook fishing is strictly outside. The fish begin to spawn in May and continue into the summer. They will prepare to spawn in the passes and move just offshore to release their eggs.

After October, the fish will remain outside as along as its warm and the bait fish are around. When the first few cold fronts move through and the bait moves out, the snook head inland.

The best time of year for redfish is from August through November. This is when you find the big schools of fish on the outside flats and in the passes. At other times of the year, you may encounter reds just about anywhere in the bay area; usually swimming alone or in pairs; with plenty of small reds in creeks and channels. Redfish don’t seem to be too picky about what they eat. Live or dead baitfish or shrimp, gold or silver spoons, or jigs are the most popular choices. Jigs are very popular because of their versatility.

“Let’s Go Catching”

Snook: Remember they go deep seeking warmer water. Top baits include live greenbacks, shrimp, small pinfish and dead-sticking cut baits. Artificial lures do well during the winter but plan on fishing deeper. Topwater lures although loads of fun seem to work better when surface water temperatures are higher. Good choices include subsurface sinking or suspending lures. Soft plastics using at least a 1/8 oz jighead always produce during the winter. If live bait is your choice shrimp always entices a bite especially if they are hungry.  

Redfish: Normally continue being active because the cooler water doesn’t affect them like it does Snook. Grass flats with broken bottom, submerged oyster bars and mangrove shorelines normally hold hungry Redfish. Artificials still work during the winter and for us diehard surface anglers they can’t resist a surface walking topwater lure. Greenbacks (if you can find them), shrimp, dollar size pins, cut bait and patience do the trick.

Spotted Sea Trout: Action should go on the upswing with cooler water temperatures pushing them inshore. Fish strong tides around deepwater flats. They eat shrimp, pinfish, and greenbacks. Deeper flats, good moving water, and a popping float prove deadly in catching nice Trout. Especially when rigged with shrimp, either live or artificial. Soft plastics on a jighead always produce when bounced off the bottom. Remember, the bite always comes as the baits begin to fall, so don’t be surprised to have a fish on just after the lure hits the water.

Cobia Don’t be surprised to sea a one on the back of large Rays and Manatees. As the waters cool you should see them around or migrating toward the hot water discharges of power plants. But don’t think you’re going to be alone in these areas… there will be plenty of boats. Large shrimp on a ¼ oz. jighead normally does the trick. But small or chunk crab also works.

Sharks also frequent the warm water discharges this time of year so don’t be surprise when you catch one while targeting Cobia.

Sheepshead will show up everywhere during the winter months. Try fishing for these great fighters around markers, bridge fenders, docks, seawalls, rock piles, oyster bars or practically any type structure. Shrimp and fiddler crabs always produce, but green mussels and oysters also work.

Captain Woody Gore – Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing Captain Woody Gore is the areas top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing theTampa,Clearwater,St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs,Bradenton, andSarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.  Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.