Outdoors

It may take more patience, but all the favorites are still eating

By DAVE WALKER, Times correspondent
Published June 8, 2007

June is a transitional month for fishing in Tampa Bay. Some species are becoming sluggish while others are going crazy.

Snook have moved from the back waters to areas with good water exchange. Outside mangrove shorelines, docks, and submerged structure are all good places to look for early summer snook.

Many anglers choose to give snook a "break" this time of year. Not only are they more lethargic than in the spring, but they are also out of season. If you are targeting snook, bring a camera. Snap a few shots, then quickly release your catch. Snook are a precious resource that receives a huge amount of fishing pressure. Most snook more than 27 inches have already been caught at least once before.

Conservation and proper handling of these fish can help make sure that future generations will be able to enjoy the thrill of a snook going berserk on the end of a line. With so many other viable species out there right now, this angler gives them a break this time of year.

Spanish mackerel are abundant around almost any range marker from the Sunshine Skyway all the way to the Gandy. A free-lined sardine or small threadfins are great baits for mackerel. They can usually be obtained right by the marker that you are fishing or on area grass flats.

Long-shank hooks will help with "biteoffs." Single-strand wire leader works well but is more cumbersome to work with. Thin wire is preferred over the thick stuff. The less hardware used, the better your chances. Mackerel have good eyesight and razor-sharp teeth.

They are an abundant species with a liberal bag limit 15 per person per day. Some anglers think, or at least say, that they are "fishy" or "oily." When handled and cooked correctly, mackerel can be delicious.

On a recent trip, the average size was more than 4 pounds, with our biggest weighing in at more than 7 pounds.

Mangrove snapper will continue to cooperate throughout the summer. These guys are scrappy fighters and are known for their bait-stealing antics. They are tricky to catch, but they are hard to beat on the dinner table.

They like to hang around bridges, rock piles and often the artificial reefs in the area. They like to find the nearest structure and hide. Medium-action spinning tackle is preferred. The braided types of lines come in handy when snapper fishing. They love shrimp and small greenbacks.

Redfish are starting to inundate area oyster mounds and the mouths of the tributaries that flow into Tampa Bay. A solid high tide is usually enough water to cover the oysters, and creates an easy hunting area for hungry reds. Live shrimp, greenbacks or small pinfish are all candy to these copper cruisers.

Patience pays this time of year. Fish each spot a bit longer than normal for more consistent results. Many anglers spend a lot of their time looking for fish instead of actually fishing.

[Last modified June 8, 2007, 01:37:56]