Outdoors

Inshore: No shortage of cobia, tarpon action this month

April is arguably the best month of the year for inshore anglers. Water temperatures typically remain in the 70s, schools of bait settle on the flats, and a variety of migratory species mingle with the resident game fish population.

By ED WALKER
Published April 7, 2006

Tripletail have been showing up in good numbers already and should be available for the next few months. These odd but tasty creatures are most often found suspended below crab trap buoys. They are easy to approach since they staunchly stand by their chosen floating object. Most will attack a small live shrimp or pinfish but some can be picky and may require several different baits before biting one. Targeting tripletail is easy. Simply run along a line of crab traps while keeping an eye open for dark shapes below. Once you spot one, turn around and slowly pull into casting range. The use of a small float can be helpful to keep the bait in the fish's field of vision.

Cobia also move through the area this month. Watch for them around navigation aids, nearshore reefs and wrecks, gulf sand bars and on the grass flats. Since most inshore cobia fishing is done by sightcasting, precision is often required. When the fish are on the move, the ideal cast places the bait in the path of and slightly beyond the intended target. Overcasting will allow you to pull the bait back if necessary to keep it in front of the fish.

The most highly anticipated migration this month is the tarpon. A handful have already appeared at the bay bridges and scattered fish have been sighted as far north as Clearwater. With each day more are trickling in. For tarpon hunters, Tampa Bay is the place to be.. The bridge structures with strong currents hold plenty of forage and serve as a gathering spot for early arrivals. Live threadfin herring are the top live bait and can usually be jigged up with a Sabiki rig in the same spot you are fishing. Hooking the bait through the nostril will allow a natural movement when being held against the current. If the fish are holding deep, try placing the hook under the pectoral fin and casting up current. This will cause it to dive deeper as it drifts downstream.

Toward the end of the month, a few schools of tarpon may show up along the beaches. The early bird definitely benefits so plan on being on the water before sunrise for best results. Pitching live bait to slow- rolling tarpon is one of the great thrills in fishing. If everything comes together you will see a deep flash in the vicinity of your bait, the line will come tight, and you will be hooked up to one of Florida's premier game fish.

Big permit also show up in the spring. Most will be found over wrecks and other large structures when the water is calm or at slack tide. Having the right bait when you find them is critical. There is nothing more frustrating than watching dozens of 20 to 40-pound permit circling on the surface and not having them bite. Live crabs are essential. Shrimp will work occasionally and a few artificials such as yellow jigs and imitation crabs may draw a strike but a live crab will send the school charging after your hook. It is good to keep a few crabs in your baitwell at all times. They will survive with a damp towel over them for days. They will only eat when submerged however, so be sure to fill the well at feeding time.

[Last modified April 7, 2006, 10:14:02]