TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Specks Finally On The Rebound

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2007

Updated: 10/30/2007 10:55 pm

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

We've caught snook and redfish all week, but trout have been exceptionally cooperative. Two years ago red tide nearly devastated spotted sea trout populations from Tampa Bay to Venice.

After a long struggle, specks appear to be rebounding. This past week we've caught some of the greatest numbers and largest trout since red tide hit, and just as the season closes.

At midnight tonight, trout season will close for two months south of Fred Howard Park at the Pinellas-Pasco county line, the dividing line between catch-and-release fishing to the south, and the area to the north for 'keeper' fish. Anglers looking to keep trout should not launch in the south region, fish in the north, and return in the south region with their catch.

It's a gray line between where anglers catch and return to shore with their catch, and FWC officers will take a hard line on possession of specks in the closed region regardless of where they were caught.

Crimping barbs on my jigs and lures minimizes mortality and injury of released trout. Whenever possible, I release them without touching the fish and removing the protective slime coat.

Breezy overcast days are preferred to those blue sky, glassy calm days. Potholes surrounded by patchy grass in Terra Ceia Bay, Joe Bay and in lower Tampa Bay have been holding trout to 22 inches. The new MirrOlurre, MirrOdine and DOA Shrimp have been particularly productive.

Ray Markham co-hosts 'Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live,' from 8-9 a.m. Saturdays on WWBA, 1040 AM, and can be reached for charter at (941) 723-2655.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT