Nature Coast

Captain's corner

By CAPT. TROT P. SAPP
Published November 10, 2007

Time to feast

Cooler water has brought a mass migration of baitfish to the near coastal waters of the North Suncoast, and predators have arrived for the feast. Spanish mackerel and kingfish will be chasing baits throughout the entire water column, and gag grouper will be ambushing the baits over all the rock piles.

This activity will take place in waters from 20 to 60 feet deep for the next month or until the bait migration has progressed to the most southern end of the state as the water temperatures continue to fall.

For those who don't have a book full of GPS numbers, trolling can be very effective this time of year. Look for stone crab trap lines running north to south because they are commonly deployed along sandy areas just inside the numerous rock piles and ledges. Using deep diving plugs, stretch 30 along with a couple of surface lures and troll parallel to the crab trap buoy lines. Once you get a strike, mark it on your plotter and make a return pass. If you catch another fish, anchor over the spot and bottom fish with a combination of live and frozen baits, with live pinfish and frozen sardines preferred.

This is a great way to put some fillets on the table and fill your book with GPS numbers of your own.

Capt. Troy P. Sapp at Fins and Tails Guide Service can be reached at (813) 920-6928

[Last modified November 9, 2007, 22:44:43]