Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Daily fishing report

By BRENT GASKILL

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 28, 2001

If you believe your inshore fishing has slowed with the summer heat, you're not alone. It's time to change tactics if line-sizzling action is what you're after.

Sharks are plentiful and willing to peel line off light-tackle outfits. Several species can be found in the bay and along coastal beaches. Targeting natural hard bottom guarantees success. For those not familiar with outcroppings of limestone, soft corals and sponges, look for artificial reefs or spoil areas along the shipping channel to get started. A chart will identify these spots. Recent trips have produced blacktips, lemons, bonnetheads and nurse sharks. Anchoring in approximately 20 feet and using a frozen chum block on the surface and a second block on bottom in a metal cage has drawn sharks to the boat within a few minutes of arrival. Several baits work, but frozen sardines have been hit as soon as they reach bottom.

Bycatch of small grouper, snapper and sea bass keep it interesting. Most are undersized, but don't be surprised if a keeper grabs your bait. Sharks are great to eat, but they should be eaten fresh and never frozen. Keep one for the grill and release the rest.

- Capt. Brent Gaskill charters the Summer Vacation out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 343-1765 or by e-mail at gaskill@tampabay.rr.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright