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Trout Show Affinity For Shrimp

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 4, 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.

Shrimp in the bay are getting into spawning mode. This week's new-moon tides created moving water, particularly on the outgoing afternoon tide.

Surges in the flow, when the velocity increased, produced noticeable differences in the bite, and the fish are showing an affinity for shrimp. As we approach the upcoming full moon, you can expect shrimp to flush out of the bay late in the day on the outgoing tide. This is a normal occurrence each year.

You can expect bait shops to start running out of shrimp in a few weeks, or at least have only smaller sizes available. But that won't stop me from using a shrimp, because I choose to throw an artificial shrimp.

We have been throwing the DOA Deadly Combo, a clacking float rig with a glow shrimp and just the straight glow shrimp free-lined, with excellent results. Some of the best action is coming from north of the Sunshine Skyway between Bishop Harbor and Port Manatee. Small bars with adjacent holes and grass are the most productive spots, with the fish staging on the up-current side of the bars.

Casting our shrimp above the bar and allowing them to drift back over the bar with the current has been very effective. In fact, we caught nearly a dozen trout between 23 and 27 inches. All were released.

In addition, we caught black sea bass, jack crevalle, ladyfish, flounder, blacktip sharks, bonnethead sharks and snook on the shrimp.

When whitebait or greenbacks are around, the new MirrOdine XL, which is about to hit the market, has been nothing short of phenomenal. I've caught as many as 14 different species on half-day trips with it.

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

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