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Captain's corner

By RICK FRAZIER

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 7, 2001

The Spanish are back in Tampa Bay.

Schools of voracious mackerel are attacking bait pods of glass minnows and juvenile sardines along the shipping channel in the lower bay and the passes. The best way to find mackerel is to look for flocks of pelicans, terns and gulls picking up leftovers from the ravished bait pods.

An easy way to catch a limit of 15 for the smoker is to use a silver spoon. Because the bait is relatively small, the spoon should be, too. Usually a No. 0 or No. 00 size is sufficient. Anything bigger may go untouched.

Ten-pound tackle with 20-pound monofilament leader will work. Light wire will work if you're worried about cut-offs, but mono will draw more strikes in clear water. When you find a school, get upwind and cast beyond the school. After casting, give the spoon a couple of seconds to sink before retrieving. Reel as fast as you can with the rod tip down so it will keep the spoon in the water. The best results come with the spoon just below the surface.

- Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters in St. Petersburg. Call (727) 448-3817.

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