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Fishing Should Start Picking Up

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 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.

Many of our favorite winter gamefish took a break this week in response to the combination of a full moon and unsettled weather conditions. However, all that is about to change for the good.

The weeklong full moon should diminish, and what appears to be more stable conditions should trigger increased fishing activity next week. As a matter of fact, forecasters are predicting another mild winter, with redfish and other species becoming year-round targets.

Many who have been working the troughs, edges of mangroves and oyster bars are coming up with several slot-sized reds using spoons, plugs, jigs or cut bait. A lot of big trout are available in the shallow flats, along with large schools of silvers in deeper grass.

Despite the warm weather, this is definitely a sheepshead time of year.

Quite a few are being hooked on live shrimp or crabs around the barnacle-encrusted pilings of Fort DeSoto's Bay Pier, the Sunshine Skyway bridge, Gandy and other similar locations.

Offshore and inshore, Spanish mackerel are still entertaining anglers, taking spoons, jigs and cut bait. With the mild conditions, Spanish mackerel should be widely available throughout the year.

Also, although grouper tend to move to deeper water for the winter, it appears several keeper-sized gags still are feeding heavily close to shore.

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

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