Outdoors

As days get shorter, fish alter routine

By DAVE WALKER
Published November 19, 2004

Anglers have one last chance this year to catch snook on the flats. Some of the last substantial high tides during daylight will occur in the next several days. The water floods the shallows and is heated by the sun. Though the water in Tampa Bay is not too cold yet, a few degrees warmer can concentrate the fish. Today's high tide is early in the morning, but they will progress into the afternoon early next week.

Now and throughout winter, an early start is not always necessary. This works perfectly for those who are not fond of cold mornings and those who prefer a few extra winks. Traditionally, afternoons are better.

Artificial lures such as deep running lures or soft plastic jigs become more effective as things cool. When fishing with plugs or lures, use a slow retrieve. As the fishes' metabolism slows, so does their desire to sprint for food. Fish baits close to the bottom for best results.

Residential docks and canals, potholes adjacent to grass flats and deep oyster mounds have been holding nice snook, trout and reds. Another successful way to catch fish in those areas is to use live shrimp. They usually are available at most tackle shops but can be quite the commodity when they get scarce.

When hooking a live shrimp, the area just below the horn on the carapace is the strongest part of the body. The dark spot in the shrimp makes a good target for the point of a hook, but puncturing it will kill the shrimp. A lively bait always increases the chances of catching game fish. Some anglers like to tail hook - put the hook into the tail just in front of the fan - their shrimp. This is especially helpful when free liningbecause it makes casting easier.

Black sea bass are showing up in many places. They are not very picky about what they eat and offer a respectable battle on light gear. Although they are actually wrasse, their meat is delicious and is comparable to hogfish.

Rock piles or areas of hard bottom from 12 to 20 feet are excellent places to find black sea bass as well as an occasional grouper. They like strips of squid, live or dead shrimp, cut sardines and white bucktail jigs. The area just north of Port Tampa toward Gandy has many places that show on a bottom machine. It does not take a huge ledge or structure to attract these fish. Look for subtle inconsistencies in the bottom.

Trout will head for deeper holes close to grass flats. They are usually in the hole for the first part of the day, then venture onto the flats as the water rises and warms. Spotted sea trout are in the drum family. Their cousins the redfish and black drum are also cold-water tolerant and actively feed throughout winter.

Ultralight equipment is suited perfectly for trout fishing. Use a light line to detect subtle strikes and a limber rod tip to absorb the characteristic head shakingfor great fun and numerous catches. There is a tendency for trout to bunch up when it is cold. In this situation, smash down the barb with pliers. Usually the fish can be released by holding the jig and giving it a light shake. If the fish must be handled, use a wet hand instead of a rag to avoid damaging the protective slime layer, which helps prevent disease.

Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call 813 310-6531 or e-mail at www.snookfish.com

[Last modified November 18, 2004, 23:59:17]