If you're looking for mackerel or "mangos," you likely won't need to leave Tampa Bay. Schools of macks can be seen crashing glass minnows from the Sunshine Skyway bridge to well inside. Trolling through these schools or pulling up and presenting baits into them will work, but a more effective method may be to anchor and chum.

Our most recent trip produced all the mackerel we wanted in the midst of the 30 mangrove snapper we battled while bottom fishing.

Occasional handfuls of live chum will keep the macks skyrocketing behind the boat, but sometimes they will make getting a bait to the bottom difficult.

Long shank hooks will provide protection from some cut-offs and still allow the use of the same monofilament leader you want to use on snapper.

Baits may vary. Shrimp, pinfish and cut bait will work okay on the bottom, and an assortment of artificials can fool mackerel. But I have not found anything that has outperformed the 3-inch whitebait and juvenile spanish sardines that are available. Flats near the Pinellas side of the Skyway bridge consistently have held them, and they will gather at the bridge on occasion.

Plan your trip around a tide change if possible and pay attention to the solunar periods.

- Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.

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