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By RICK FRAZIER
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 25, 2001
Expect the unexpected. That's what Seminole resident Steve Lomica learned fishing for tarpon recently in Tampa Bay.
Soon after our lines were out, a 4/0 reel's drag began to sing. But what we had hoped to be a large silver fish acted more like a snag on the bottom. Realizing it might be a grouper hiding in a hole, we put the rod in a holder to give the fish time to come out. Minutes later the line began to move, and Lomica landed the grouper. Not only are grouper available in the bay, there are plenty of Spanish mackerel. Find a bait pod, anchor upcurrent and put out a chum block to draw in the mackerel. Use a piece of cut bait on a No. 1 long-shank hook and drift it in the chum slick behind the boat.
Sometimes the best plans won't work. Switching tactics can be the difference between success and defeat.
- 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.