Inshore anglers looking for some Spanish mackerel should check out the grass flats along Tarpon Springs. Schools of macks can be found in 3 to 6 feet of water during an incoming tide, but the largest concentrations are just inside the outer islands.

While working 1/8-ounce jigs or silver spoons with 8- to 10-pound spinning gear though the numerous sandy potholes, double and triple hookups often are encountered. Flies with lots of flash presented with an 8-weight rod also are very effective.

A fast retrieve is paramount. Macks like to slash and cut their prey, so strikes are violent at times, making for exciting hookups.

Live-bait anglers will do well by locating a school and slipping a chum bag over the gunwale while anchored. White bait, pinfish and even shrimp will work. Place the bait under a cork to keep it out of the grass.

Tips to help prevent cutoffs include: 30-pound fluorocarbon leader for spin fishermen and a wire trace for fly anglers, and a very light drag setting for solid hook sets. When the fish is by the boat, use a net or small gaffe for landing.

-- Capt. Wade Osborne operates Afishionado Guide Services out of Tampa and can be reached at (888) 402-3474 or by e-mail at wade@wadefish.com.

Back to Sports

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

From the Times sports desk

Bucs
Bucs considering full-time fullback

O-line will have to play through issues

Buccaneers cheerleader slips in mud, injures spine

Lightning
Tie works just fine for Tampa Bay

Dudley off phone and hook

Devil Rays/Baseball
Looks like business as usual in 2002

What to do with Grieve?

NFL
Easy pickings for Miami

Rams on the road home

College football
FSU's Hope on top all-academic team

Outdoors
Daily fishing report

Preps
County supremacy

Eagles clamp down on Panthers

Remarkable run

Hagin comfortable at 112, unbeaten

From the wire

From the state sports wire Jacksonville's Spicer placed on IR after leg surgery
FIU-Western Kentucky game postponed because of Jeanne
Brown anxious to face old team for first time
Dolphins' desperate defense readies for Roethlisberger
Former Sarasota lineman sheds tough-guy image with Michigan
Rothstein rejoins Heat as assistant
No. 16 Florida has history on its side against Kentucky
FSU and Clemson QBs both off to slow starts