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Time Is Right To Target Snook

By RAY MARKHAM

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

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.

With the approaching full moon this week, anglers fishing Tampa Bay will see more than 21/2 feet of water dropping out on the late afternoon falling tide.

These strong tides will create some excellent opportunities for snook fishing. Anywhere the velocity of the currents is increased, you could find snook waiting to ambush prey.

Typical spots will include the mouths of creeks, mosquito ditches, rivers and points around mangrove islands. You can also find linesiders in swash channels that surround oyster bars. Shoals running along the flats outside Cockroach Bay near the Little Manatee River hold some of the largest snook in the Bay at times.

As the water drops to the bottom, fish the potholes and exit channels that fish travel to the edges where deep water begins. Small soft plastic minnow style baits such as the Love's Swimming Minnow, CAL Shad and the Berkley Power Mullet in pearl white or night glow seem to be some of the most effective for snook.

Jerk baits rigged weedless Texas style on a worm hook will allow you to work baits in shallow areas where grass is a problem. Slower tides early in the week produced some good action with Spanish mackerel, spotted sea trout, black sea bass, mangrove snapper and flounder in lower Tampa Bay.

Hard-bottom areas produced good catches of each, with the bulk of the mackerel feeding on glass minnows in open water. Small rock piles in the Bay can hold red and gag grouper. While most are undersized, occasionally we'll pick up a legal fish.

Grouper have jumped all over the DOA TerrorEyz Big One tipped with a Berkley Gulp Strip and the DOA trolling model Baitbuster bumped along the bottom.

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

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