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Catches Are Out Of This World

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Bill Miller.

Captain Ky Lewis and space shuttle astronaut Bruce Melnick put the "Hooked on Fishing" film crew on some terrific fishing in the Withlacoochee River. Using mud minnows for bait and fishing four miles upriver from the Gulf of Mexico, we caught 15 snook, 10 bass and numerous mangrove snapper in the same spot.

Fallen trees and strong current at the river's bend proved to be a hot spot. Numerous Florida gar also were caught using mud minnows and small pinfish on a circle hook.

Mackerel and bonita fishing at the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers has been hot. A fast-retrieved silver spoon on a 40-pound mono leader behind a 4-ounce lead has been the top producer. A few pompano also have showed.

Kingfish and mackerel have showed back up along the Gulf beaches. Larry Mastry and his party limited on kings to 30 pounds this week using big greenbacks and Spanish sardines. The Betty Rose, South County reef and Indian Shores reef have been holding big schools of bait and kings.

Big schools of spawning mullet are moving along shorelines and canals. Fish the mullet with live and cut white bait for hot action. Redfish, snook, trout, sharks and more are following the schools.

Captain Bill Miller hosts "Hooked on Fishing" on Thursdays and Sundays from 7-8 p.m., and Fridays and Mondays from 11 a.m.-noon on Bright House Networks Catch 47.

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