Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By ROB GORTA
Published March 5, 2007

What's hot: Warmer weather means warming water, and snook begin their annual migration to the shallow water flats from deeper channels and canals. Cold fronts pass through the area every three to five days, causing fish to feed aggressively. South winds before the front push more water onto the flats, creating a better environment for snook to feed.

Tactics: I like to get up early and throw my cast net under bridge lights because they attract every baitfish imaginable. Throw on the down-current side to keep your net from hanging up on the pilings. Scaled sardines and threadfin herring put linesiders in a feeding frenzy. I start live bait chumming when I know there are snook in the area. Begin with a couple, and when snook start to feed throw handfuls, but not enough to spook them.

Tackle: Size 1 J hooks allow bait to swim more easily and will not be seen. Owner, Vmc and Gamakatsu provide sharp hooks and are worth the cost. When a fish is caught, check the point. It could be bent, causing you to lose the next fish if it is not sharpened.

Rob Gorta charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 647-7606 or visit captainrobgorta.com.

[Last modified March 4, 2007, 23:16:52]