Nature Coast

Captain's corner

By Ed Walker, Times Correspondent
Published March 1, 2008

Spring appears to be arriving early this year for inshore fishermen. Before the cold front Tuesday, there were numerous signs that temperature-sensitive migratory fish were beginning to show up. The cooling trend is not going to be enough to drive the new arrivals back south, so look for the action to pick up as soon as the weather stabilizes.

Mack attack

One of the earliest arrivals have been Spanish mackerel. For the past two weeks, the fish have been adding a little zing to standard trout fishing. Anglers casting jigs over deep grass flats have encountered lots of these feisty speedsters weighing from 1 to 4 pounds in southern Pasco County. Bluefish have been mixed in with them as well.

Return of sardines

Not surprisingly, scaled sardines began showing up in the area at the same time as the mackerel. In fact, it is likely that the sardines arrived first with the mackerel right behind them. Local guides have been chumming with a mix of canned fish, such as sardine or jack mackerel, and cat food to draw the bait into cast-net range. It takes a bit of patience, but the potential rewards make it a worthwhile endeavor.

Snook re-emerge

Local fishermen are starting to see snook return to the flats after a long winter absence. The bigger fish have been holding close to the rivers and canals, but many of the smaller ones are venturing up onto the oyster bars and into the mangrove roots at high tide.

There are lots of good things starting to happen, so it's time to dust off that light tackle gear and hit the flats.

Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs. Call 727 944-3474 or send e-mail to info@lighttacklecharters.com.

[Last modified February 29, 2008, 21:15:08]