Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Daily fishing report

Freshly iced shad are the favorite bait of late season tarpon fisherman. Netting these slimy baits takes dedication and time. The process usually begins a couple days before the day of fishing. This time is also spent scouting areas that might hold fish. One eye must look for the spring-like flip of a shad as the other looks for the subtle roll of a tarpon on the surface.

Shad fishing can be very boring. One tackle shop owner describes it as "starting out slow, and tapering off from there." When a fish eats, though, chaos can break loose in seconds. A big bundle of tarpon jumping 10 feet in the air will put a strain on the 50-pound tackle and make you forget how long it took to get a bite.

Recently, there was an incredible feed as a handful of boats jockeyed for position along an edge inside the bay. Fresh dead baits cast in the area of activity were sure to get hit. Some fish spit the hook; others were landed and released.

The action only lasted about 45 minutes. The moon was directly overhead, signaling a major solunar feeding period. The moon phase, combined with the end of an incoming tide, created the perfect scenario and tarpon on our line.

-- Capt. Brent Gaskill charters the Summer Vacation out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 343-1765 or by e-mail at gaskill@tampabay.rr.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright