Outdoors

Captain's corner

Now is the perfect time to try out any new rods and reels, tackle or other gadgets you may have acquired this holiday season.

By JAY MASTRY
Published December 25, 2006

What's hot: Now is the perfect time to try out any new rods and reels, tackle or other gadgets you may have acquired this holiday season.

If you found a "Beef Stick" - a heavy-duty rod and reel - under the tree, head offshore. Some of the best grouper reports came from 90 feet this week and, finally, some south of the Egmont ship channel. A few miles farther, amberjack will test your tackle.

If light spinning gear was on your wish list (and you got it), take it to Redington Beach. Some areas beginning in 12 feet are covered with silver trout.

On a recent trip, we caught more than 100. Tony Cellamare figured it would be more challenging to add a third jig to his double rig. Catching them three at a time on 10-pound test can keep you entertained until you get tired. Releasing most of what you catch will help to ensure they keep returning each year.

The mullet run will begin winding down by the first of the year, but there are enough of them to break in a new cast net. Schools can still be seen gathered in residential canals and along the seawalls.

Tackle: For a gift that keeps giving, pinfish traps have become popular among offshore anglers. Using hooks or cast nets can become tedious, but the traps, which are similar to wire mesh crab traps, can do the work for you. Pinfish enter the baited traps on two sides, each of which can accommodate several dozen guests. There is something to be said about already having your bait caught when heading out.

Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.

[Last modified December 25, 2006, 05:44:37]