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Follow The Light To Find Fish

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

Updated: 01/15/2008 11:46 pm

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.

Some fish are nocturnal. Snook and spotted sea trout are popular night feeders, stalking their prey under the cover of darkness or by moonlight. Open expanses of flats can spread fish out, but lights in residential canals and along the Intracoastal Waterways attract baitfish, crustaceans and the predators that seek them.

Improving weather conditions and warmer water brought fish back onto the flats during the past week. A mild front that moved across the area Sunday night got fish in a feeding mood. Canals in Terra Ceia came alive as snook could be heard hitting finger mullet, small squid and other tiny baitfish under the night's dark sky. My lighted boat slip can be a refuge for fish from time to time, but for predators in search of the small baitfish, shrimp and squid drawn to the lights at night, it has the makings of a fast-food restaurant.

This is typical of docks in residential canals where there is deeper water and/or dark bottoms. The perfect dock in the winter might be one with deep, moving water ranging from 5 to 8 feet deep and with good lighting, such as the underwater lights from Hydro Glow or lights that hang over the water just a few feet from the surface. Shallower, dark-bottom canals early in the night also can be outstanding.

Recently, venturing out in a small craft with a quiet Minn Kota trolling motor, I caught and released 12 snook, two trout and a redfish in less than an hour. My rig consists of a night-glow DOA shrimp, a spinning rod rigged with 10- to 15-pound Power Pro braided line and 25- to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader.

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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