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Change Can Be Good For Fishing

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 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.

Trying to pick a good day to fish has been tough lately, but wind or light rain shouldn't affect the decision when you fish areas that are sheltered from the elements.

This was the case recently on a trip some of my regular clients booked months ago.

The visiting couple have fished for about the past 11 years with me in all kinds of weather, excluding anything we would consider to be dangerous. In that time, they have learned that, more often than not, the days when barometric pressure is fluctuating rapidly are some of the most productive.

When we hit the water in the afternoon, the incoming tide had brought water in that registered a temperature of 78 degrees in Joe and Terra Ceia bays. Working the potholes while drifting produced dozens of trout, with the largest measuring 24 inches, a nice fish anywhere.

We tried several types of soft jig tails, including Gulp Shrimp, CAL Shad, Love's Lures curly tails, and the DOA Deadly Combo with a DOA Shrimp. All produced fish, but the Deadly Combo produced outstanding results and caught the majority of the fish.

When the tide turned to go out, we headed south of the Sunshine Skyway for some snook action. Fishing the points, potholes and oyster bars on the dropping tide using CAL Jigs with Shad tails, we pulled snook from the points near the mangroves for more than an hour.

Just before the tide change, the barometer began falling and the wind velocity picked up to about 20 knots, pushing water around the points. This is what created the feeding scenario for these fish, who thrive on ambush opportunities in changing conditions.

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

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