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Have A Blast Catching Sharks

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 13, 2008

GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Billy Nobles, left, with "Reel Animals" partner Mike Anderson.

With winter seeming to arrive early this year and water temperatures already in the upper 50s, I am glad I am not a fish. The grouper bite in the bay is hot, nonetheless.

It seems the trolling is a little slow at times, with the traditional method of working individual rock piles and wrecks being the best approach. Another technique is to power anchor, holding the boat in position using the motor. If you have fished Boca Grande Pass, it is sort of the same thing, as far as handling the boat is concerned.

With the water cooling, the area power plants are holding a lot of fish, but we haven't seen the hoards of cobia that traditionally visit the plants at wintertime. They haven't been around for the past couple of years. You'll see one here and there, but not the schools of 15 to 20 fish as in years past.

There are a lot of rays and tons of sharks - spinners, blacktips and bulls. On light tackle, these guys are a blast. I find it is best to work the contours and find where the current works with the depth change, anchor and deploy a chum bag. The chum we have been using is Pro Chum, which is a dry chum that requires no refrigeration.

Once the slick starts, cut up pieces of mullet or ladyfish and toss them into the slick. Take one of the chunks and place it on a hook with wire leader and free-line it in the slick. Place the rod in the rod holder and it won't be long before you're hooked up. A 4- to 5-foot shark on light tackle is a hoot. When the fronts move, as they were Thursday and Friday, I don't think the snook and redfish will cooperate, but the sharks seem always willing to play.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the "Reel Animals Fishing Show" on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. and Sundays from 11-11:30 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on 1040 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit ree

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