Captain's corner

By WADE OSBOURNE

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 24, 2000

Despite the relentless heat of late, the snook fishing has been astonishing. I'm catching snook by the dozens on every outing, many weighing 10-15 pounds. More amazing is that these post-spawn fish are feeding during the middle of the day.

Bait fish have invaded the upper Tampa Bay grass flats, and hungry snook are taking full advantage. Fish at high tide. When the flats fill with new water the temperature drops slightly; bait fish are on the move and the snook are eating. Chumming heavily is also necessary to trigger a strike. Use the smaller baits from the live well for chum and put the larger ones on your hook suspended under a cork.

Snook hit baits at full throttle occasionally so be prepared. When a snook takes the cork under be patient. Lower your rod tip slowly and reel in the slack. Once there's tension on the line, lift the rod tip with a sharp jab.

I use 7-6 to 7-9 fast-action rods and medium-size reels loaded with 10-pound test line. The longer rods and light line increase casting distance, which translates into more strikes and hookups. Thirty-pound fluorocarbon leader, 1/0 circle wide hooks and bright fluorescent-colored corks finish off my rigs. Tie hooks on with a loop knot and place the cork just high enough to keep the bait out of the grass.

One other tip: Most baits roaming the flats are mixed in size. Use a small mesh net and load the live well. Sort out the best bait at your snook spot while chumming.

- Wade Osborne charters Afishionado Guide Services in Tampa. Call (813) 286-3474 or wade@wadefish.com.

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