Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By DAVE WALKER, Times Correspondent
Published September 24, 2007

What's hot: Fishing has remained solid in Tampa Bay for several weeks. Recent heavy rains have cooled the water just a bit and should promote steady catching until temperatures cool, which should be soon with fall arriving.

The snapper bite is on. They don't care how hot it is. Although usually associated with mackerel fishing, chum blocks are handy for balling up snapper. Snapper have keen eyesight and are especially clever. Using fluorocarbon leader material can make a difference. They are notorious for stealing bait, so have extra on hand.

Tips: A new school of sardines have emerged onto the grass flats. The big ones that were here only a few weeks ago have headed for deeper water. The smaller baits are still useful and abundant. Use a cast net with a quarter-inch mesh for hassle-free bait collection. A larger diameter can lead to a net full of gilled baits. This beats them up badly and can be a smelly mess. Mangrove snapper love small greenbacks because they can eat them with one solid whack.

Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call 813 310-6531, e-mail dwalker12@tampabay.rr.com or visit www.snookfish.com.

[Last modified September 23, 2007, 19:53:08]