TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tampa Bay Is A Prime Spot For 'Mangos'

ADVERTISEMENT

By FRANK SARGEANT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2007

The aptly named mangrove snapper spends a fair amount of its juvenile life among the watery roots of its namesake trees. But when it reaches adulthood, it heads for deeper venues, and one of the best in the state is the edge of the shipping channels that run through Tampa Bay.

There, the 45-foot deep channel cut through the 20-foot depths of the bay, creates a steep, rocky edge that is home to all sorts of reef species. Gag grouper fishermen often pull 30-inch fish from these lairs, but for those who seek smaller but more tasty species, the 'mango' is even more abundant.

Like most snapper, the mangrove can be challenging to hook. They are fast-moving, often knocking a live bait off the hook and consuming it before the angler has a chance to set the hook.

And they are much more wary than other reef fish. Often, a small hook and light leader are essential to persuade them to bite, and they are hard to fool with anything but natural baits most of the time.

The trick, say experts such as captain Jeff Horne of Ruskin, is to use enough weight to get your bait down to where the fish live despite the sometimes strong currents in the open bay.

Four ounces or more may be needed to hit the bottom.

Anglers typically fish straight down, raising the bait a few feet off bottom once the sinker touches. The trick is to set the hook on the slightest nibble - or, if you're using circle hooks, to keep slack out of the line and reel like mad whenever you feel a bump.

Snapper inside the bay typically weigh a couple of pounds, though fish of 4 pounds or more are possible. The best live baits include small sardines, shrimp or 'mud minnows' that can be netted around oyster bars inshore.

Minimum size on mangrove snapper is 10 inches, and the daily limit is 10.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT