TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Big Trout Near Gandy Bridge

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2008

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

Right before the recent cold front came through, Gandy Bait and Tackle's Bill Robinson was out on the Gandy Bridge tossing a 52-M 750 MirrOlure across an area of hard bottom. He made just a couple of cranks and hooked what he thought was a big snook.

"It broke the water, jumped and ran. When I got it up to take a look, it turned out to be a monster trout, measuring 34 inches and about as fat as a 2-liter Coke bottle," he said.

Fortunately, Robinson had the barbs pinched down and was able to release the lunker unharmed. He said there are several of these huge trout to be found in Tampa Bay. They are "loners" that tend to hang in the shallow flats late in the day.

With a nice warming trend this weekend, captain Scott Moore said the big secret will be to fish in deeper water.

"The flats have chilled down considerably, and even though they will warm up quickly, most species need to be worked deeper and slower," he said. "Of course the hot spots are the warm-water power plant outflows. It's a good idea to target fish that do best in the winter. But above all, you need to slow down your presentation."
Captain Dave Rieumont reports sighting good numbers of redfish, along with closed-season snook, seeking their comfort zones well up in the Anclote River.

Hear "The Captain Mel Show" Saturdays from 6-9 a.m. on WFLA, 970 AM. Also, visit "Fishing Florida OnLine Magazine" at capmel.com. Hear "The Captain Mel Show" Saturdays from 6-9 a.m. on WFLA, 970 AM. Also, visit "Fishing Florida OnLine Magazine" at capmel.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT