Fishing

Inshore forecast

In April everything comes together for Tanpa Bay-area inshore anglers. Just about every game fish species that swims through area waters are a possibility.

Not only are local inshore fish such as snook, trout, redfish and sheepshead active, pelagics such as cobia, Spanish mackerel and even tarpon will show up to add some spice.

Cobia return on their annual migration to the spawning grounds in the northern gulf. They can often be spotted floating around navigation aids, particularly in Tampa Bay. Large tripod-type markers and floating "can" buoys seem to be their favorites.

When approaching a marker to look for cobia, cut the motor upcurrent and drift past while scanning the surface for fish. If you see them, cast a free-lined live bait, such as a threadfin herring or pinfish, uptide and allow it to drift naturally with the tide. If that does not work, lower a weighted bait to the bottom under the marker. Many times there are fish holding at the base of the structure.

Another way to target cobia this month is to stalk them as they cruise the flats chasing large southern stingrays. These rays unearth small crabs and crustaceans as they dig in the bottom. The opportunistic cobia then pounce on the fleeing morsels. There are many productive cobia flats from St. Petersburg to Crystal River. Just about anywhere you can see the bottom and that attracts stingrays is worth a look.

Because this is sightfishing it helps to be in an elevated position on the boat, either on the bow or in a tower, when hunting them. After a ray and cobia are spotted, cast a live bait suspended under a float ahead of their path, and allow the fish to swim to it. More often than not the cobia rushes the bait and eats it as soon as it sees it. There are few things as exciting as watching a 45-pound cobia run down a live bait on the end of your line.

Because they are usually found in open water, light tackle can be used. We usually use 12-pound line on 7-foot graphite rods and 2/0 to 3/0 hooks, depending on the size of bait. Artificial baits such as soft-plastic, eel-like jigs also work well. Yellow or chartreuse is the preferred color - the fish like it and you can see it in the water, which helps your presentation.

The best snook fishing this month will be in areas that receive the least angling pressure. Because to their popularity, snook face intense pressure, which causes them to keep moving. Spots that get fished regularly produce fewer bites as the fish wise up. The key is to continually search and try new areas. This way you stay one step ahead of the crowd and will have the most cooperative fish.

Speckled trout will gather in large schools to spawn in the next few months. The big females will be found bunched in the passes or in the gulf, where most of the mating takes place. If you find one of these schools, the action can be nonstop. Keep in mind when deciding how many you need for the dinner table that these breeders are full of eggs and hold the future of the trout fishery.

Tarpon typically appear in our area sometime in mid to late April, depending on how quickly the water temperature rises. The first places they show are around the bridges in Tampa Bay. Night fishermen find them cruising the shadow lines under the Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges. These nocturnal feeders are usually 25 to 60 pounds, but occasional fish over 100 pounds are hooked.

The Sunshine Skyway is the best early season, daytime tarpon spot. Strong tides and large concentrations of bait attract the first big migratory tarpon of the season. Live threadfin herring are hands down the best bait. Hooked through the nose on a 5/0 or 6/0 hook, there is simply no better bait for this style of fishing. Most experienced Skyway tarpon hunters use heavy tackle, 50-pound line minimum with a 100-pound leader, and still lose a fair number of fish. Be sure to check regulations on how close you are allowed to fish to the Skyway before heading out.

With so many opportunities available, the hard part this month will be what fish to target first.