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Winter Species Are Starting To Work Their Way Into The Area

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 24, 2007

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

This week we spent a couple of days doing some "field research." Our mission was to determine if any of the winter species have arrived.

We weren't disappointed.

Fishing with Ray Williams of the Hurricane Pass Anglers Club on Tuesday and with captain Chad Calhoun on Wednesday, we reeled in impressive numbers of silver trout in the deeper flats off Clearwater and Dunedin.

They appeared to be lingering on the bottom in 5 to 8 feet of water, especially near lines of stone crab traps. Slowly working jigs across the grasses on moving tides yielded the best results. This should be just the beginning. We expect a greater abundance of these frisky silvers to show up as area waters continue to cool.

Also in evidence is the arrival of the large winter speckled trout. We caught a few 20-plus-inch beauties on the flats and around spoil islands. In addition to the gator trout, several juvenile redfish are being hooked in many of the same locations.

This is also the year of larger redfish. Many huge, bronze beauties up to 48 inches appear to be working the waters around Fort Desoto, Weedon Island, Double Branch, the South Shore and along the Gulf.

According to Skyway Piers' Mike Tyson, several keeper grouper are being reeled in from both piers, as well as from boats trolling the area.

Hear "The Captain Mel Show" Saturdays from 6-9 a.m. on WFLA, 970 AM. Also, visit

"Fishing Florida OnLine

Magazine" at capmel.com. Magazine" at capmel.com.

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