Snook are moving into the lower parts of Tampa Bay. Areas that lacked fish are starting to hold good-sized schools. The hard part is they won't stay in one area more than a week or so.
The schools constantly move closer to beach areas for their summer spawn. Most of the action has been good when the tide is moving. The best baits to spark interest are sardines, whitebait and threadfins. Free-line the baits when the snook hang on the sandy edges of the grass. When they school over the grass, switch to a corked rig. By chumming the school with live bait, the snook get more aggressive.
Birds are the problem with live chumming. During the winter, there are no bait schools to feed on. When the birds see the sparkle of baitfish tossed into the water, they dive for the baits. This usually spooks the snook, making them move away. One way to deal with the birds is throwing wounded baits away from the fishing spot. When the birds move in to eat these easy-to-catch baits, toss lively bait over the area holding the fish. These baits swim deeper, making it harder for the birds to see.
Dumping a couple dozen dead baits into shallow water before reaching your spot also tricks birds, distracting them. Also try dumping a dip net full of bait next to the side of the boat.
- Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.
