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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 19, 2001
Some of the most enjoyable and productive fishing in the bay area is also the simplest. Grab a couple of rods, a handful of lures, and a spool of leader, and drive from spot to spot until you find fish.
Our area is loaded with bridges, sea walls and piers. Most inshore species can be caught here, including snook, jacks, trout, ladyfish, flounder and bluefish.
The best times are usually an hour either side of sunrise or sunset, and on the solunar periods. Spinning or casting gear from 10-14 pounds is about right. I like 30-pound fluorocarbon leader, tied with a loop knot.
Floater-diver plugs work well before dawn -- make mine black with gold sides -- while plastic shrimp and tiger-tail jigs seem better in daylight. Work them slowly. It's good to flatten barbs on treble-hooked lures. Hooks are easier to set, and unwanted fish easier to release.
The rock piles lining approaches to most bridges are often best. Start on the up-tide side, casting up-tide and cross-tide. Don't cast too far. More than 10 feet out from the rocks, you're fishing for jacks and ladyfish. Snook and trout generally hit very close to the rocks -- often, just as you're lifting the lure from the water. You'll catch more fish in these areas from shore than from a boat, as your lures come toward the rocks where gamefish pin their prey.
Once the sun's up, stand back from the water's edge a bit. Snook, in particular, stick around after they spot you, but won't hit.
-- Capt. Archie Giannella charters out of Tampa on The Noble Neil and can be reached at (813) 251-5512 or by e-mail at CaptArchie@mindspring.com.