Mango snapper fishing inside the bay has taken off.
With the full moon of July, these delicious fish have taken refuge in many of the inshore rock piles, channel edges, reefs and residential docks.
Light tackle is the way to go, as these fish eat your bait before you get a chance to close the spool. Try a medium-heavy spinning outfit spooled with your favorite braided line and a 20- to 30-pound mono leader.
Target these snapper around the last couple hours of the incoming tide through the first two hours of the outgoing. The bay is loaded with bottom structure, and any of it could hold snapper.
The main shipping channel that runs from Egmont Key to the Port of Tampa is a highway for mango snapper. Use your depthfinder to watch the contour of the bottom until you mark good structure. Anchor uptide and start fishing. Small whitebait and shrimp are favorites for these bait grabbers.
Don't be surprised that with all the commotion in the water you hook a legal-size grouper, as they reside in the same areas as the snapper. They are a great fight on medium-heavy tackle.
These fish can be caught at night using the same methods.
Remember that the legal size for mangrove snapper is 10 inches, and you're allowed only five per person each day.
Steve Ingram charters out of O'Neil's Marina in St Petersburg and can be reached at 813 298-6511 or by e-mail at FishSteve@Hotmail.com
