Capt. Woody’s Old South Crab Cakes

1 pound jumbo lump crab meat

½ lemon juiced seeds removed

1 tablespoon cracker meal

4 tablespoon butter

½ cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

½ cup minced celery

1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

2 eggs lightly beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté the celery in butter and combined all other ingredients except crab. Gently fold in crab meat maintaining its lumpy texture. Shape crab mixture into cakes and sauté over medium heat 5 to 10 minutes per side. Add remaining butter and sauté remaining cakes. You can also bake them on a baking sheet and bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden, flipping cakes over once during cooking.

Captain Woody’s Redfish Recipe (Works for any flaky flesh fish)

4 fillets of Redfish                                           3 larger eggs lightly beaten

1 cup butter                                         3 cups fine dry bread crumbs

3 tablespoons peanut oil                                 ½ cup slivered almonds

2 lemons quartered                             3 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons chopped garlic             1 teaspoon sugar

½ teaspoon salt                                              

¼ teaspoon ground white pepper                  

Start with two clean Redfish fillets. In an oven safe skillet, (I use cast iron) melt one stick of butter and about three tablespoons of crushed garlic. Set the burner to low medium Wash and dry the fillets then dredge them in flour. Next dip the fillets in an egg wash and then in toasted breadcrumbs. Place the fish in the skillet and cook slowly, approximately 15 to 20 minutes, taking care not to burn the underside of the fillets. Remove the skillet and spoon the remainder of the butter and garlic onto the fillets. In a separate saucepan melt ½ stick of butter, ½ teaspoon of sugar, and your choice of chopped nuts, (almonds, pecans, pine etc.) and heat until just warm. Next spoon this mixture over the fillets and place in the oven, on broil, taking care not to burn the tops, approximately 12 minutes (Keep an eye on them). Remove from the oven and skillet, add two tablespoons of white raisins, remaining butter/nut mixture and serve immediately with lemon wedges, yellow rice, green peas or black beans, toasted Cuban bread & butter and iced tea.

Don’t be confused by the “Tides”… understand them and catch more fish.

Somewhere around the third century B.C. the Greek geographer Pytheas traveled outside the Straits of Gibraltar and was perhaps the first careful spectator of ocean tides. He witnessed, observed and made notes concerning the tidal actions happening on the Atlantic Ocean. From these observations he reflected that it was the Moons gravitational pull on the Earth that caused tidal fluctuations. Although largely correct, his explanation was not generally accepted until the eighteenth century, when Isaac Newton succeeded in mathematically describing the tides and what causes them.

·   What are Tides:

Simply, tides are the “vertical” rise and fall of the earth’s waters due mainly to the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on earth’s surface. They usually happen twice a day with two high tides and two low tides. However, several times each month single tide days will occur and under normal weather conditions their movement can be predicted with significant accuracy.

On the other hand, changing weather patterns can produce a profound effect that makes predicting and calculating tide tables difficult. Strong winds and abnormal atmospheric pressure are two of the main causes of imprecise tides. For instance, a strong wind blowing against land has the effect of piling up the water, causing a higher tide than forecast.

·   What Actually Happens:

Tides happen when the gravitational force of one or more celestial bodies exerts that force on the earth. The best example of this results from gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun on the earths oceans. And even though the Sun is larger than the Moon, the Moon has a greater influence because it’s closer.

Accordingly as the Moon rotates around earth, the earth also revolves on its axis. Accordingly, for the earth to return to the same position relative to the Moon, it must rotate on its axis for 24 hours and 50 minutes or a period known as a lunar day and the additional 50 minutes allows time for the earth to catch up to the moon. As a result, on coastlines with single or diurnal tides, the high or low will occur 50 minutes later than the day before. On a two-tide or semidiurnal coast, each high tide or low tide will occur 12 hours and 25 minutes later than the previous high or low tide.

·   The Nature of Tides:

1.      The Moon’s gravity pulls on the oceans water on the near side of Earth. This force causes the water, to bulge slightly outward, making it somewhat deeper in that area.

2.      Simultaneously, on the opposite side of the Earth, a second tidal bulge occurs that is almost the same size as the first.

3.      However, in this case it’s not the water that’s being pulled but the earth. This second bulge forms because the force of the Moon’s gravity pulls the solid mass of Earth away from the water on the opposite side away from the moon.

4.      This results in two lunar tidal bulges existing on Earth at all times… one on the side of Earth facing the Moon and another directly opposite. These bulges result in the visible fact known as high tide.

5.      When two high tide bulges develop, they cause a belt of low water to form at 90-degree angles to the high tide bulges. This belt, which completely encircles Earth, produces the observable fact known as low tide.

In addition to the lunar bulges, the Sun forms its own tidal bulges. However, because the Sun is much further away its tidal effect is approximately one-half that of the Moon.

·   What is Tidal Movement:

Any movement of ocean water as a result of tidal action is known as a “tidal current” or the “horizontal” movement of water. In open oceans, tidal currents are comparatively weak changing direction slowly and frequently during the day. The closer to land, however, tidal currents tend to change direction rapidly, flowing toward land during high tide and away during low tide. Obviously this onshore and offshore tidal action also flows into bays, estuaries, rivers and streams often reaching speeds as great 4 to 9 miles an hour and peak tides as high as 10 feet or more in certain locations. In a bay between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, for example the difference between high and low tides may be as great as 46 feet. Tampa Bay on the other hand seldom experiences tide differentials greater than a couple of feet or less.

·   Words You Should Know:

·         Diurnal Tide: Are tides that occur once every day.

·         Semidiurnal Tides: Occur twice every day. In most places, there are two tidal cycles (semi-diurnal) each day one high and one low tide. The high water level reached during one of the high tide stages is usually greater than the other high tide point, and the low water level reached during one of the low tide stages is usually less than the other low tide point. This consistent difference is called the diurnal inequality of the tides.

·         High Tide: The event corresponding to the largest increase in water level for an area affected by tidal forces.

·         Low Tide: The event corresponding to the largest decrease in water level for an area affected by tidal forces.

·         Ebb Tide: Period when the water level is falling usually the period after high tide and before low tide.

·         Flood Tide: The period when the water level is rising; the period after low tide and before high tide.

·         Slack Tide: Period during which the water level is neither rising nor falling.

·         Neap Tides: Period of minimum tidal range that occurs about every two weeks when the Moon and Sun are at 90-degree angles to each other or the first and third quarter moons. When the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each, the two forces act in opposition to each other to produce a minimum pull on the oceans. The tides in this case are known as neap tides. The neap high tide produces the lowest high tide and the neap low tide produces the highest low tide.

·         Spring Tides: Period of maximum tidal range that occurs about every two weeks when the Moon and Sun are in line with each other at the new and full moons. Their gravitational forces combine to produce a maximum pull on Earth producing what is known as spring tides. The spring high tide produces the highest high tide and the spring low tide produces the lowest low tide.

·   Fishing the tides:

Understanding tides, knowing what causes them, and comprehending how they work can definitely affect your productivity. Moving water dramatically affects feeding patterns in fish and especially in areas with strong tidal flows.

The bite in Tampa Bay for example is practically non-existent on slack tides. However, let the water begin flowing and hang onto you rod and reel because the bites about to turn on. It’s actually fairly simply, the tides move, the tidal currents flow, the bait swims and the fish feed.

Fishing the tides:

Understanding tides, knowing what causes them, and comprehending how they work can definitely affect your productivity. Moving water dramatically affects feeding patterns in fish and especially in areas with strong tidal flows.

The bite in Tampa Bay for example is practically non-existent on slack tides. However, let the water begin flowing and hang onto you rod and reel because the bites about to turn on. It’s actually fairly simply, the tides move, the tidal currents flow, the bait swims and the fish feed.

Snook (Snook Season Closed)

One more month and the season opens again on September 1, 2009. There are plenty of Snook lurking around piece of structure and open grass flat throughout Tampa Bay. Pick a good incoming high tide and check out you favorite grass line, broken bottom grass flat and the mangrove shorelines.

The best live bait is a greenback about 3.5 to 5 inches long and to get them means throwing that dreaded cast net. If you’re catching bait on the flats check bait size before you load up that net. If they are still small you might want to use a ¼ inch net instead of the 3/8 inch. No one likes a Christmas tree first thing in the morning. You don’t need to use greenbacks Snook also eat things like pinfish, shrimp, threadfins, grunts and artificial lures.

One of my “walk-the-dog” topwater favorites is a lure manufactured by High Roller Lure Company (www.highrollerlures.com). The 4.25″ High Roller™ is one of the most versatile topwater lures I’ve fished. Originally designed for Largemouth Bass in freshwater it’s characterized by its long casting ability and highly active back and forth jumping motion; I’ve found it deadly for a variety of elusive and exciting saltwater fish, specifically: Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Sea Trout. High Roller manufactures a variety of lures from stick baits to poppers and they all work equally well in saltwater applications.

Here’s a tip/secret for nighttime anglers looking for really large Snook. Use the large 7.5 inch RipRollers™ around bridges, structure and hang on. Originally, designed for Peacock Bass fishing this lure is a surefire big Snook lure. But don’t tell anybody else.

Redfish (No closed season, one fish per person per day, within the 18” to 27” slot limit)

We’re seeing some nice Redfish pushing into shallower water looking for food on incoming tides. Find a large school of mullet and you’ll normally find a few Redfish. Green backs, small pinfish, shrimp, and for those that like pitching soft plastics are excellent baits for a few Redfish.

Sea Trout (Season Open, four fish per person per day, within the 15” to 20” slot limit)

I’ve caught more big Trout this summer since before the last big Red Tide fiasco a few years ago when it seemed like they had disappeared for the bay. Well they’re back, and bigger than ever. Find a deepwater grass flat free-line a greenback or shrimp over some and its Trout for dinner. Paradise Poppers bobbers with a medium split-shot about 8” above a 2/0 circle hook and work the cork by popping it, letting it set a moment, then popping it again. Don’t be surprise if fishing deep water if you catch Mackerel, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Jacks, Sharks and of course Trout. Topwater popping plugs like High Roller’s ChugRoller™ is a great Trout lure or soft plastic jerkbaits over any deep broken bottom grass can offer artificial anglers some nice action.

Mackerel, Sharks, Cobia, and Tarpon

Big Mack’s are everywhere in Tampa Bay. You must fish a moving tide and they’re feeding on anything that swims. Hang a chum block over the side, rig up using 60 # Seaguar leader and long shank hooks, hook a large greenback or threadfin at the joint near the pectoral fin, cast it out and hang on. If you want a few sharks try cutting chunks of Threadfins or Greenbacks tossing them out in the current… the sharks will come. We’re catching some really big Mackerel with many measuring 30” and weighing 5 to 6 lbs. Remember, that big Snook secret? It works on big Mackerel and Sharks. Take a fairly calm day, toss out a few chum baits to get them working and work the HighRoller™ 7.5 or 6.5 inch RipRoller™ across the surface. There is nothing as exciting as having a 5 or six foot shark take it on the surface. (use 90 to 120 # Tyger Leader/wire leader and bend down the barbs).

Cobia: I’ve been seeing a few Cobias around the bay most are cruising markers and cans or following large rays or manatees around the flats. When Mackerel fishing with a chum block keep you eyes open as Cobia’s like to hang around you boat. If you net your bait keep a few smaller pinfish and use them for the Cobia.

Tarpon: Plenty of Tarpon at the Skyway, Egmont and on the beaches. Large Greenbacks, Threadfins, or a crab should do the trick. Some are also showing up around the bridges at night. Don’t be surprised is you bait get eaten by a large shark as plenty of them also cruise the bridges during the evening hours.

HERE ARE SOME AREAS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED: You can read all the fishing reports available but remember… no one is going to give up that exact location. But if you have a good place to start the rest is easy to figure out.

North - Safety Harbor to Howard Franklin Bridge:

Safety Harbor tidal flats, Double Branch/Rocky Creek grass flats, Mangroves & Oyster shoreline from Big Island to St Petersburg/Clearwater airport, Both sides of the Courtney Campbell Causeway (good wading but watch for deep holes), Cypress grass flats on the eastern shore north of Howard Franklin Bridge to the Courtney Campbell Causeway (good wading but watch for deep holes), Rocky Point grass flats, rocks and oysters bars off the point (good wading but watch for deep holes.)

Central - South of Howard Franklin to St. Petersburg Pier:

The old Gandy Bridge has a fishing walk-way on both the Tampa and St. Petersburg side and offers some good fishing on moving water. There is a public boat ramp on the Tampa side of the Gandy Bridge. St. Petersburg fishing pier is an excellent place to cast a line and has its own bait shop. The west shoreline grass flats just north of Gandy Bridge (good wading-watch for deeper holes), Howard Franklin Artificial Reef, East shoreline grass flats (3-6 foot depth) north of Gandy Bridge to Howard Franklin, Picnic Island grass flats (watch for restricted zone signs at Mac Dill Air Force Base to the east), Weedon Island outside grass flats (2-3 foot depth between no motor signs and no wake signs) and outside no wake signs, Apollo Beach grass flats between Alafia River and Simmons Park, (Alafia River Williams Park and Simmons Park has a public boat ramps.)

South – South of St. Petersburg Fishing Pier past the Skyway Bridge:   

The old Skyway Bridge is now proclaimed as the world longest fishing pier with access from both the north and south end. You can drive your vehicle to where you want to fish, take advantage of the bait house for tackle and bait, and enjoy a day catching fish, Western shoreline grass flats south of St. Petersburg Pier to Pinellas Point, There is a public boat ramp located on Cockroach Bay Rd. use with caution because there are reports of vandalism and theft to vehicles. Eastern shoreline grass flats from Simmons Park to Joe Bay. Excellent grass flats from the (no wake signs) to the eastern shore including Little Manatee River, Little Cockroach Bay, Cockroach Bay, Piney Point, Port Manatee (new 500 yard restricted area around Manbirtee Key (Spoil Island), Bishops Harbor, and the outside grass flats of Joe Bay, Grass flats along the eastside of the Skyway Bridge Causeway, the grass flats along the west side of the Skyway Causeway to the gulf around Tarpon Key, Indian Key, Boca Ciega, Boca Ciega Bay, and Ft Desoto (some wading-watch for holes)

The Tampa Bay waters are full of fish and offer excellent Snook, Redfish and Trout action starting at the north end of the Bay down to the Skyway. Some North Tampa Bay hotspots are Safety Harbor, Mobly Bay, Rocky Point, Rocky Creek, and Double Branch. If you fish the north end the Courtney Campbell Causeway Ramp is a decent boat launch but has limited parking especially on weekends. Central bay areas include Picnic Island, Coffee Pot Bayou, Weedon Island, Fourth Street, Cypress Flats, and Culbreath Isle Flats and you can launch at either the Causeway or Salty Sol Boat ramp located on West Gandy Blvd on the Tampa side of the Gandy Bridge. Good producing locations on the southeast shore with boat ramps located at Williams Park and Simmons Park include the Alafia and Little Manatee River, Apollo Beach Flats, the Kitchen, Simmons Park, big and little Cockroach Bay, Piney Point, Bishops Harbor, and Joe Bay. On the St. Petersburg side check out Pinellas Point, The Skyway Fishing Pier, Tarpon Key, Indian Key, Tierra Verde/Fort Desoto and Boca Ciega Bay all the way into Bradenton and Sarasota.

Because the fishing pressure continues to climb throughout Florida and because it’s a wonderful pastime for friends and families it’s import that we protect the assets that give us pleasure. Many of us enjoy eating a good fish dinner so don’t hesitate to take enough for a meal. However, filling your freezer with fillets is not in the best interest of protecting our fish.

Unless properly frozen fish have a short shelf life usually 2 to 6 months depending on fat content and how it’s frozen. Otherwise it quickly becomes freezer burned destined only for the garbage. It doesn’t matter how good your freezer, nothing saves a piece of fish if the package’s air tight seal is lost. The omega-3 fats are highly unstable and when exposed to air oxidize quickly, leaving that recognizable, rancid, fishy, smell and taste. Whenever you take fish from your freezer and the seal appears broken, give it the smell test.

Remember, if it’s not in the freezer you have an excellent reason to go fishing, “like we really need one”.

Early mornings, light wind and a small ripple on the water are excellent times to fish topwater lures for Snook, Redfish and Trout. Like hundreds of anglers one of my favorite topwater’s is the MirrOlure and it’s made right here in Largo, Florida. As a company committed to offering the highest quality, they continually improve and manufacture state of the art lures which results in millions of fish caught in both fresh and saltwater. One of my favorites is the Top Dog series and a favorite of everyone the 7M. Always on the cutting edge they’ve recently created three additional fish catchers: the MirrOMullet Surface Walker, Suspending MirrODine, & MirrOMinnow, I have used these new lures with exceptional results on Snook, Redfish and Trout.

Use a “walk-the-dog” or twitch technique, across a grassy flat in 2 to 3 feet of water and hold on to your fishing rod. Snook strikes for example are usually so violent they frequently push the lure right out of the water, so wait until you feel the fish before setting the hook. Redfish on the other hand make a swirling strike and occasionally miss on the first attempt. If you’re “walking the dog” slow it down but never stop it. Countless times I’ve seen someone stop the lure only to see the Redfish turn away and lose interest. Conversely if you keep the lure moving the Red keeps striking. Again, wait until you feel the fish to set the hook.

Here’s a little something about hook setting. We’ve watched bass professionals wrench back on their rods to set the hook. Some reasons given for this type of hook set is quick reaction times result in good hookups, getting the stretch out their monofilament line and forcing the hook point (usually rigged weedless by embedding it into the soft plastic lure) out of the plastic lure and into the fish.

Today with many anglers switching to braided line and open J-hooks aggressive, haul back and set the hook techniques are unnecessary. Because braid has little or no stretch and no memory just getting the slack out of the line forces the hook set. With braided line like when you see or feel a strike quickly lift the rod to remove any slack line and reel the hook does the rest. “Slack Line is Not Your Friend” and I’ve seen thousands of anglers miss a strike because of it.

One final point on hook setting involves circle hooks that have been around for centuries. Over the last 10 to 20 years and with a move toward environmentally friendly fishing “Circle Hooks” increased in popularity with recreational anglers. They’ve proved to be the most fool proof way of hooking fish that produces the least damage. Hook sets normally occur in the outside edge of the mouth and seldom if ever throat or gut-hooks a fish. Circle hooks are automatic, just lift your rod, take up any slack line, (which should not be there) and it’s a hookup. Try to set the hook yourself by pulling before you feel the fish and guess what? The fish wins.  

Snook: (Season Opens March 1^st – April 30^th). Unless we have an extended winter season keeping the water temperatures down the Snook should be out and about looking for food. As the water temperatures rise they move into summertime patterns. Greenbacks will begin showing up again and live bait anglers will be getting out that dreaded cast net. Look for Snook to pattern along outside edges and points along mangrove islands and shorelines especially where tidal flows move bait. Our miles of grass flats with sandy potholes also offer excellent ambush locations. 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. Identify which direction they are feeding and approach quietly. Natures provided Redfish with exceptional eyesight and hearing and can almost hear you change your mind. With quit and low profile mandatory serious anglers often slip over the side wading to within casting distance. With perfectly placed cast try picking off the outside fish never casting directly into the school.

In every report I write about mullet schools and it bears repeating when locating feeding Redfish. Redfish follow schooling mullet eating the baits they stir up so, fishing these mullet schools usually produces. Live bait, suspending lures, top water 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 will continue producing good catches 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, 5M series, Top Dog and new MirrOMullet. Twitch or “walk-the-dog” and pause the lure momentarily after each series. The anticipation is un-nerving.

For die-hard live baits users, live shrimp, greenbacks, or pinf ish under a Paradise Popper from Old Bayside, find a good broken bottom grass flat and you’ll catch trout. Its four fish per person, per day, with a slot limit of 15 to 20 inches. You can have one fish over 20 in the southern region. On moving tides check the flats around Weedon Island, 4th Street, Culbreath Bayou, Cockroach Bay, Bishops Harbor, Simmons Park, Joe Island also Ft. Desoto, Tarpon Key, Indian Key, Boca Ciega Bay, and Pinellas Point flats are good bets.

Cobia, Mackerel, Sharks: As the bait shows up these should follow. Check markers and cans holding bait and be ready to toss something in the path of a circling Cobia. Not picky about food Cobia will readily take large shrimp, small crabs and pin fish or toss them an artificial jerk bait or plastic eel. Mackerel with eat greenbacks, threadfins, silver spoons and Gotca lures.

Well folks it’s definitely here… summer time heat and warm water fishing. This year fishing in Tampa Bay’s been awesome. But remember July brings hot humid days and very warm water. Not only can it be challenging to find fish willing to eat but this hot weather’s equally hard on anglers venturing out during the heat of the day. Early mornings, late afternoons and nighttime trips can make this month more bearable. We can expect water temperatures to climb into the high eighties and low nineties especially on shallow water flats and backcountry. Fish everywhere will be looking for relief so plan your fishing trips toward areas offering some cool water reprieves. Deeper cuts and troughs around the grass flats, islands, shade around the mangrove shores, passes, creeks and deeper holes throughout the bay.

Let’s Go Fishing in Tampa Bay:

Tampa Bay offers excellent angling for over 200 species of fish. Tampa Bay starts at the extreme north end all the way down to the Skyway Bridge. Pick a good day with a respectable incoming or outgoing tide and catch fish. Many places are fishable from land for shore anglers or accessible to those who like to wade. For those with boats or Kayaks there are many public and private boat ramps located throughout the bay area.

Snook (Snook Season Closed)

It’s seems like the Snook are everywhere throughout the bay. Pick a likely spot, hookup a medium sized greenie; toss it toward a mangrove line and its fish on. Good reports are coming in from the north end down past the Skyway. Weedon Island is a favorite spot for many anglers and gets plenty of pressure from Snook anglers. If you’re tired of the same old scenery venture away from you favorite spots and find new areas.

If Snook is all you want to catch there are plenty around but when you catch one take a look at its mouth and you’ll see why I’m suggesting targeting something different. Their mouths are in terrible shape from being hooked and released. So, you might want to think about giving them a rest during the closed season and try one of the other 200 plus species throughout Tampa Bay.

Redfish (No closed season, one fish per person per day, within the 18” to 27” slot limit)

Redfish are popping up all over the bay and pushing into shallower water as the tide climbs. There is no shortage of large mullet schools and Redfish aren’t far behind. Green backs, small pinfish, shrimp and for those that like pitching soft plastics and topwater’s around the mangroves you can expect some great action on high in coming tides. If you’re lucky to find a school moving around a shoreline, setup and wait they will move back and forth when feeding. Chasing them only causes them to scatter.

Sea Trout (Season Open, four fish per person per day, within the 15” to 20” slot limit)

Free-line a greenback or shrimp over some deep grass flats and its Trout for dinner. You might try suspending a shrimp under Paradise Popper with a medium split-shot about 8” about a 2/0 circle hook and work the cork by popping it, letting it set a moment, then popping it again if there are fish in the area it won’t take long before you hooked up. Topwater popping plugs or soft plastic jerkbaits over any broken bottom grass flat can offer artificial anglers some nice action.

Mackerel, Sharks, Cobia, and Tarpon

I can’t say enough about the big Mackerel showing up all over the bay. They’re all over the bay feeding on Anchovies, and Threadfins. Hang a chum block over the side through out some cut chunks of Threadfins or Greenbacks and get ready. I’m getting reports of big fish ranging in the four to seven pound range caught using a long shank 2/0 hooks and fifty pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader. Cobia: I’ve been seeing a few Cobias around the bay most are cruising markers or following large rays or manatees around the flats. When Mackerel fishing with a chum block keep you eyes open as Cobia’s like to hang around you boat. If you net your bait keep a few smaller pinfish and use them for the Cobia. Tarpon: Plenty of Tarpon at the Skyway and on the beaches. Large Greenbacks, Threadfins, or a crab should do the trick. If you’re casting to them use a rod and reel combo that allow for a longer distance cast.

Here are some areas to help you get started: You can read all the fishing reports available but remember… no one is going to give up that exact location. But if you have a good place to start the rest is easy to figure out.

North - Safety Harbor to Howard Franklin Bridge:

Safety Harbor tidal flats, Double Branch/Rocky Creek grass flats, Mangroves & Oyster shoreline from Big Island to St Petersburg/Clearwater airport, Both sides of the Courtney Campbell Causeway (good wading but watch for deep holes), Cypress grass flats on the eastern shore north of Howard Franklin Bridge to the Courtney Campbell Causeway (good wading but watch for deep holes), Rocky Point grass flats, rocks and oysters bars off the point (good wading but watch for deep holes.)

Central - South of Howard Franklin to St. Petersburg Pier:

The old Gandy Bridge has a fishing walk-way on both the Tampa and St. Petersburg side and offers some good fishing on moving water. There is a public boat ramp on the Tampa side of the Gandy Bridge. St. Petersburg fishing pier is an excellent place to cast a line and has its own bait shop. The west shoreline grass flats just north of Gandy Bridge (good wading-watch for deeper holes), Howard Franklin Artificial Reef, East shoreline grass flats (3-6 foot depth) north of Gandy Bridge to Howard Franklin, Picnic Island grass flats (watch for restricted zone signs at Mac Dill Air Force Base to the east), Weedon Island outside grass flats (2-3 foot depth between no motor signs and no wake signs) and outside no wake signs, Apollo Beach grass flats between Alafia River and Simmons Park, (Alafia River Williams Park and Simmons Park has a public boat ramps.)

South – South of St. Petersburg Fishing Pier past the Skyway Bridge:   

The old Skyway Bridge is now proclaimed as the world longest fishing pier with access from both the north and south end. You can drive your vehicle to where you want to fish, take advantage of the bait house for tackle and bait, and enjoy a day catching fish, Western shoreline grass flats south of St. Petersburg Pier to Pinellas Point, There is a public boat ramp located on Cockroach Bay Rd. use with caution because there are reports of vandalism and theft to vehicles. Eastern shoreline grass flats from Simmons Park to Joe Bay. Excellent grass flats from the (no wake signs) to the eastern shore including Little Manatee River, Little Cockroach Bay, Cockroach Bay, Piney Point, Port Manatee (new 500 yard restricted area around Manbirtee Key (Spoil Island), Bishops Harbor, and the outside grass flats of Joe Bay, Grass flats along the eastside of the Skyway Bridge Causeway, the grass flats along the west side of the Skyway Causeway to the gulf around Tarpon Key, Indian Key, Boca Ciega, Boca Ciega Bay, and Ft Desoto (some wading-watch for holes)

Let’s Go Fishing in Tampa Bay:
Tampa Bay offers excellent angling for over 200 species of fish. Tampa Bay starts at the extreme north end all the way down to the Skyway Bridge. Pick a good day with a respectable incoming or outgoing tide and catch fish. Many places are fishable from land for shore anglers or accessible to those who like to wade. For those with boats or Kayaks there are many public and private boat ramps located throughout the bay area.

Here are some areas to help you get started: You can read all the fishing reports available but remember… no one is going to give up that exact location. But if you have a good place to start the rest is easy to figure out.

North - Safety Harbor to Howard Franklin Bridge:
Safety Harbor tidal flats, Double Branch/Rocky Creek grass flats, Mangroves & Oyster shoreline from Big Island to St Petersburg/Clearwater airport, Both sides of the Courtney Campbell Causeway (good wading but watch for deep holes), Cypress grass flats on the eastern shore north of Howard Franklin Bridge to the Courtney Campbell Causeway (good wading but watch for deep holes), Rocky Point grass flats, rocks and oysters bars off the point (good wading but watch for deep holes.)

Central - South of Howard Franklin to St. Petersburg Pier:
The old Gandy Bridge has a fishing walk-way on both the Tampa and St. Petersburg side and offers some good fishing on moving water, There is a public boat ramp on the Tampa side of the Gandy Bridge, St. Petersburg fishing pier also offers a variety of fishing, the west shoreline grass flats just north of Gandy Bridge (good wading-watch for deeper holes), Howard Franklin Artificial Reef, East shoreline grass flats (3-6 foot depth) north of Gandy Bridge to Howard Franklin, Picnic Island grass flats (watch for restricted zone signs at Mac Dill Air Force Base to the east), Weedon Island outside grass flats (2-3 foot depth between no motor signs and no wake signs) and outside no wake signs, Apollo Beach grass flats between Alafia River and Simmons Park, (Alafia River Williams Park and Simmons Park has a public boat ramps.)

South – South of St. Petersburg Fishing Pier past the Skyway Bridge:
The old Skyway Bridge is now proclaimed as the world longest fishing pier with access from both the north and south end. You can drive your vehicle to where you want to fish, take advantage of the bait house for tackle and bait, and enjoy a day catching fish, Western shoreline grass flats south of St. Petersburg Pier to Pinellas Point, There is a public boat ramp located on Cockroach Bay Rd. use with caution because there are reports of vandalism and theft to vehicles. Eastern shoreline grass flats from Simmons Park to Joe Bay. Excellent grass flats from the (no wake signs) to the eastern shore including Little Manatee River, Little Cockroach Bay, Cockroach Bay, Piney Point, Port Manatee (new 500 yard restricted area around Manbirtee Key (Spoil Island), Bishops Harbor, and the outside grass flats of Joe Bay, Grass flats along the eastside of the Skyway Bridge Causeway, the grass flats along the west side of the Skyway Causeway to the gulf around Tarpon Key, Indian Key, Boca Ciega, Boca Ciega Bay, and Ft Desoto (some wading-watch for holes)

Snook (It’s Over till September 1, 2008 – Put Them Back Safely)
The Tampa Bay Snook bite’s been excellent around the mangroves on high water and on the grass flats early AM. Greenbacks, Shrimp, Pinfish and artificial lures are working especially the topwater’s early in the AM.

Redfish (No closed season, one fish per person per day, within the 18” to 27” slot limit)
Redfish are popping up all over the bay and pushing into shallower water as the tide climbs. There is no shortage of large mullet schools and Redfish aren’t far behind. Green backs, small pinfish, shrimp and for those that like pitching soft plastics and topwater’s around the mangroves you can expect some great action on high in coming tides. If you’re lucky to find a school moving around a shoreline, setup and wait they will move back and forth when feeding. Chasing them only causes them to scatter.

Spotted Sea Trout
Some good catches on incoming or outgoing tides around deep water flats in two to six feet range are producing fish to 22 inches. As always live free-lined greenback or shrimp are the best baits for Trout. Or suspend either under Paradise Popper cork with a medium split-shot about 8” about a 2/0 circle hook then find any good grass flat and catch all the trout you want this month. Using topwater popping plugs or soft plastic jerkbaits and fishing broken bottom grass flats especially the grassy potholes can offer artificial anglers some nice action.

Mackerel, Sharks, Cobia, Kings and Tarpon
Mackerel are showing up all over the bay find a school of Threadfins, start chumming and hold on. I’ve been catching them up to 6 and 7 lbs. using long shank 2/0 hooks and fifty pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader. Try a popping cork and split shot like you would for Trout. It works well when the Threadfins are really thick. Cobia: I’ve been seeing a few Cobias around the bay most are cruising markers or following large rays or manatees around the flats. Tarpon are at the Skyway. Grab a few Threadfins for large Greenbacks a slow in or out tide anchor and chum by cutting some bait into pieces. Kingfish: Kings are still running the beach between five and seven miles offshore. Hard bottom bait schools, chum bags and slow trolling does the trick.

“GIVE ME A CALL & LET”S GO FISHING” Capt. Woody Gore’s been fishing in Florida for over 50 years and offers guided fishing charters in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Clearwater, and Tarpon Springs. For more information or to book a trip: Call or email a reservation request form from my website: Cell: 813-477-3814 <> Office: 813-982-2034

Email: wgore@ix.netcom.com Website: www.captainwoodygore.com

Should You Kill It or Release It?

Capt. Woody Gore

As a strong advocate of catch and release I thought I’d put a few words together about catching and safe leasing the things that bring us so much enjoyment. They are ours to protect and should we fail… shame on us.

Let’s start with what drives Florida’s economy and that’s tourism which brings approximately forty million people to Florida yearly. Florida’s resident population of 14.7 million increases daily and with more than 40 million tourists, most with coastal destinations it’s easy to understand why fishing continues to increase significantly over the past decades.

As a favorite activity of its residents and visitors, anglers make approximately 20 million fishing trips, catch somewhere around 141 million fish and responsibly release approximately 50% of everything they caught. Even with a significant number being released the question remains… did they live after they where released?

Protect the fish…
After being caught and released fish die for a variety of reasons but usually surrender to the physiological stresses experienced during capture, injuries from the hook, or even the angler. Though they may appear unharmed some still die in spite of our efforts to revive. As unwilling participants caught in a life or death struggle to escape, often and for our own gratification we needlessly cause them to struggle intensely for long periods. This unnecessary extended struggle causes an excessive accumulation of lactic acid to develop within their muscles and blood sending them into a state of complete exhaustion. This ruthless battle to exhaustion ultimately causes physiological stress imbalances resulting in muscle failure, and more often death.

Land it Quick:
As a result it’s important to use the proper weight-class tackle, land the fish quickly, and leave it in the water whenever possible. Immediately bringing a physically exhausted fish out of the water prevents it from getting what it needs most to recover… Oxygen! (The example often used to describe what a fish might experience would be the same thing a marathon runner may experience if a placed a plastic bag was placed over their head immediately after crossing the finish line.)

Taking a Photo:
Whenever a photo is required, allow the fish to rest and recover quietly beside the boat for a few minutes. Gently lift it from the water, support it horizontally with a wet hand, snap a couple of quick photos, and gently return it to the water taking a moment to revive it if necessary.

Circle Hooks Help Protect:
Wounds caused by hooks may appear minor to us however damage to gills, eyes, throats or internal organs are often fatal. Studies show it’s best to cut the leader at the hook and leave it in a fish that’s gut-hooked or hooked deep in its throat. Often fish are capable of eliminating, ousting, or encapsulating foreign objects like a hook. And long drawn out attempts to remove them often causes more damage. Circle hooks however help eliminate those damaging deep hook sets.

Centuries ago circle hooks where made from bone, shell, stone, ivory and sometimes wood. However, after decades of catching fish we’ve seen them emerge into what we know today. Circle hooks actually gained heavy acceptance in the unmanned long-line fishing industry. Commercial anglers discovered that when hooked in the outer part of the mouth, fish survived longer and because it’s rounded inward it was difficult for a fish to displace it and get away.

Go Barb-less or Crimp them down:
Circle hooks are the way to go and your catch ratios will improve. Many hooks are available without barbs and if you don’t have some; simply crimp the barbs on your existing hooks. You’ll still catch the same amount of fish, cause less physical damage and find the hooks much easier to remove.

Another reason for Artificial Lures:
Artificial lures normally result in less damaging hook-ups because the lures are generally in motion and the hook set happens before its swallowed. Controlled studies indicate that most fish released after hook-and-line capture can survive. However these studies also show that many die as a direct result of being deeply hooked as a result of swallowing live or dead baits. Hook position can definitely affect survival rates and those hooked in the gills, throat or gut normally have a lower survival rate than those hooked in the mouth.

Analysis conducted on several species demonstrated that using live or dead bait often results in the number of hook-related deaths. Regardless of any statistics anglers using live and dead baits should always stay alert for a quick hook-set whenever they feel a bite. Never allow the fish to run because this significantly increases the chances damage.

Maximizing Catch-and-Release Survival:
The most important action anglers can take to ensure a successful release is to hook and land the fish quickly, leave it in the water while removing the hook, and make a quick release. Large species such as Sharks and Tarpon should be brought alongside within 20 minutes and the average inshore species with a few minutes of being hooked. If you’re consistently landing exhausted fish, requiring extensive efforts at resuscitation, you might consider using heavier tackle.

Every time you must handle a fish make certain your hands or gloves are wet and never lay a fish on a hot boat deck to remove a hook. Place it on a wet towel to help protect its slime coat and cover its eyes with a wet towel to keep it still. Control the fish at all times! If you drop it the chances of damage and death increase.

Make Your Decision Early:
When you’ve caught and landed a fish, in no way engage in a lingering discussion over whether or not to release it. Decide beforehand what you’re going to keep and immediately release the others. Once you make a decision to keep a fish, stick with it. A fish released from a live well has a decreased chance of survival.

Releasing Big Fish:
Tarpon, Cobia, or Sharks should never be removed from the water because they are often injured when lifted or hauled over the side of a boat so leave them in the water. Take your photographs in the water and turn them loose. Have the necessary tools available, long-nosed pliers or a hook-removal device comes in handy when a hook is difficult to remove by hand. Note of caution: Many times I’ve had a larger shark come from under the boat and grab a Tarpon I was de-hooking. So, be ever vigilant to the presence of larger predators stalking your catch. Make certain your hand is not part of a quick meal.

Never lift or pull on the leader of a gut-hooked fish to find the hook. If you cannot see in the outer edges of the mouth it’s safe to assume it’s in a vital area and causing damage. Therefore any additional lifting or pulling only causes more damage. Simply release the fish by cutting the leader as close to the hook as possible.

Reviving Your Catch:
If the fish is in good shape, put it back into the water headfirst. On the other hand when you release a fish and it doesn’t swim away, is lethargic, or erratic it may require some form of resuscitation. The best method of reviving an exhausted but healthy fish is to place one hand under the tail holding the bottom lip with the other. Provided the fish is in fair to good shape, hold it headfirst into the current when possible. If it is severely exhausted, depress the bottom lip to cause the jaw to gape and gently move the fish forward. Never us an irregular back and forth motion as this only induces additional stress. The moment the fish attempts to swim away… let it go.

In closing let’s be sure to teach your children and inexperienced anglers these few simple procedures. Anything we can do to educate others helps ensure abundant fish populations for the future. Always practice and share new techniques to protect our fisheries and these creatures that bring us joy.

Greenbacks – Whitebait – Scaled Sardines

Probably the number one live bait used in the bay area is a scaled sardine. Almost every saltwater fish loves a nice sardine free-lined or under a cork. Anglers call them greenbacks, whitebait, or sardines but there all the same and should not be confused with the Threadfin Herring also found in the bay.

To begin we need to know what greenbacks are. The proper name is Scaled Sardine and the scientific name is Harengula Jaguana. They are a fast growing, short-lived fish that complete their life span in a little more than one year and are common in both off-shore and near-shore waters along both Florida coasts. When looking for them in early spring and summer your best bet is structure, bridges and buoys, and most of Tampa Bays grass flats. On calm mornings you can see them tinkling like raindrops on the surface with an occasional flip out of the water. Once you’ve seen it, it will become more recognizable in the future.

A question often asked is what is the difference between a greenback and a threadfin? When you look at them side-by-side it is not hard to distinguish one from the other. The sardine has a slightly larger head and eye, predominately-sharper belly, no ray from dorsal fin, olive to dark green back, silver sides and belly and a faint dark spot on the upper gill plate. The threadfin is distinguishable by the prolonged last ray of its dorsal fin. With a bluish-black back, silver sides and belly. Their scales along the back have dark centers, and there is a dark spot just behind the upper gill plate cover.

Now that we understand what they are… how do you catch them? Some anglers use a Sabiki Rig on a rod and reel. This method works but it’s time consuming and limits the amount of bait you’ll have. Others have learned to throw a cast net allowing them get several hundred in a single throw. Cast nets are not difficult to throw but you will need some instruction and a little practice. I would suggest having two mesh sizes 1/4 and 3/8 inch and nothing less than 8 foot or more than 10 as they are easier to throw than shorter nets. A good net will cost you somewhere around $100 to $250. I’ve thrown cast nets for many years and believe me when I tell you… a well made net is much easier to throw and last longer than the bargain discounts. One last point about a cast net is proper care which is vital to maintaining its casting and opening ability. So, when you’re cleaning the boat and tackle be sure to wash your net with fresh water and store it away from direct sunlight.

If you’re planning on netting your bait what do you use to attract them? Chum is the answer. Asks ten live bait anglers what they use and you’ll never get the same answer. Anglers are always inventing their own special formulas which often requires some pretty fancy mixing and a variety of ingredients. Some include sand, oatmeal, rice, macaroni, dog food, cat food, fish oil, anise, soybeans, grits, cornmeal, bread… the list is endless. Probably the number one ingredient for any chum is oil. Not any oil, but the stomach-turning stinky kind called Menhaden fish oil. Without a doubt this is the most awful stuff you will ever put your hands in and if you get it on your clothing, it never comes out.

Here is a simple three ingredient sure-fire mixture many have used for years and it works every time. It is a combination of fish food, canned Jack Mackerel and menhaden fish oil. Empty two cans of jack mackerel into a two-gallon bucket mixing and breaking it into very small pieces, add four to five cups of fish food and two to three cups of Menhaden fish oil and mix everything thoroughly. Now you are ready to go get greenbacks.

Many feed stores carry fish food and your local tackle shop should have Menhaden oil and Jack Mackerel. Your local grocer also carries Jack Mackerel. This mixture tends to appeal to greenbacks and not threadfins and you’ll recognize the difference, as the greenbacks will be eating mixture and threadfins swimming through it. This mixture also attracts pinfish and that pesky old catfish. Safety point here is always use caution when removing catfish from your net. They have sharp, barbed slime covered fins that can quickly penetrate a finger or hand. If you are wounded, make certain to treat it immediately with a good disinfectant and watch it for infection. If it becomes infected seek medical attention immediately “do not wait” it will only get worse.

Go get your bait. Position yourself near that tinkling water and begin tossing small amounts of chum in that direction. The mixture should disperse thoroughly, sink slowly and create a fine oil slick on the water which attracts bait into the chummed area. When they are bunched up be ready and throw your net.

Many of our local tackle retailers carry cast nets, fish food, Jack Mackerel and Menhaden Oil and just about anything else, you need in the way of tackle, bait and riggings. Moreover, unlike larger discount or sports stores, if they do not have what you are looking for they will get it for you. They are also a great place to get current fishing reports, information and recommendations on tackle, or if you just want to talk fishing, someone is usually around to spin a yarn or two. Stop in; visit your local tackle dealer soon.

Let’s Go Fishing in Tampa