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Enjoying A Low-Tide Alternative

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 25, 2008

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

The tides this past week were some of the lowest of the month, so Billy and I took to the backcountry of Charlotte Harbor with our good friend, captain Artie Price, aboard his airboat for some true skinny-water "Reel Animals" action.

With the full moon Tuesday night, we ventured out on Wednesday morning loaded with plenty of Berkley Gulp and our favorite light-tackle rods for some hole hopping for redfish, snook and trout. We were not disappointed.

The trout seemed to be the most plentiful, with each of us catching a dozen or so 14- to 17-inch trout.

The redfish had been scattered through the area pretty good, though not really stacked up in any spot. We still managed to put a couple of nice reds in the boat.

The snook also seemed to be very receptive to our artificial baits, and we were able to hook and land several using Gulp shrimp in the root-beer and gold color, slow-bouncing the bottom of the deeper potholes as we drifted along the more open areas. I also caught a nice little goliath grouper in the 3- to 4-pound range that put up a tremendous fight.

If you have never been on a low-tide airboat fishing trip, I suggest you try it immediately. There are several guides in the area specializing in these types of trips, and winter is the right time to try it. Lots of fish, lots of scenery, lots of fun.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the "Reel Animals Fishing Show" on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on WHBO, 1470 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit www.reelanimalsfishingshow

.com.

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