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By RICK FRAZIER
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 16, 2001
The water is going to be crowded so be courteous when pursuing tarpon, trout or red drum.
Silverking are starting to thin since the spawn of the last full moon, but pockets can be targeted if the approach is right. Look for the direction the pod is traveling. Once determined, anchor way in front and wait for them to come to you. Place your bait in front of their noses, hopefully, when they're on the way up from their roll. A corked pinfish, free-lined greenback or a fresh dead shad on the bottom should be hard for them to overlook.
Speckled trout action is the best in years. Drifting the 3- to 4-foot grass is the best bet. Live whitebait, pinfish, grunts and shrimp all work well, but grab a jig and put a small cigar float on it for more action. Or buy a rig already made up at the tackle store. Motor oil tails are good, so is pumpkinseed.
Schools of red drum or reds are here, but a stealthy approach is the only way to get a shot at blackened redfish. Look for nervous water, head wakes or tails, and like tarpon, look for the direction of travel before setting up. Have corked whitebait, pinfish or shrimp waiting in hand.
- Capt. Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 448-3817 or by e-mail at captrick@luckydawg.com.