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Captain's Corner

By JAY MASTRY

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 13, 2001

If forecasters are accurate and temperatures continue to rise, we could enjoy increased activity.

While bottom-fishing the crippling cold waters of Tampa Bay this week, we observed several species of dead or dying fish. Though we caught some sheepshead, most seemed more intent on surviving than eating. The deeper and somewhat warmer water of the gulf was a different story.

Even 70 feet southwest of Pass-a-Grille, grouper digging seemed not as productive as normal. Other bottom-huggers, however, satisfied our appetite for non-stop action. Black sea bass, porgies and Key West grunts chewed best on cut pieces of squid. Flounder, triggerfish and some grouper preferred sardines.

This time of year you likely will be better off buying your bait instead of catching it. All but glass minnows abandon the flats once it gets this cold. Even pinfish and grunts move off to seek protection. If shrimp is your first choice, have a backup plan. Low temperature causes shrimp to bury in the mud seeking warmth. With extreme low tides associated with this time of year, bait shrimpers are unable to work the fertile grass flats they prefer to harvest, making it sometimes impossible to meet demand.

Do not despair. Your shop will gladly sell you a box or two of frozen sardines and squid. Chances are that 15-pound grouper hanging on your favorite ledge doesn't care to exert the energy to run down that frisky live bait anyway.

- Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.

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