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Best Action Is Offshore

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2008

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

The inshore snook bite earlier this week was pretty much nonexistent for me. We picked at them and had a couple of big ones take the bait, but they left pretty abruptly.

However, the trout have moved in, and they are nice fish up to 25 inches. Remember trout are out of season until December, so handle them with care, because they are a delicate species. When possible, use a dehooker and avoid touching them even with wet hands or a towel, because this will remove the slime coating that protects them from infection.

The offshore scene is on fire. There are plenty of grouper and snapper to be had.

I ran a kingfish trip Saturday, and it only produced three fish, but we were in Boca Grande last week and the kings were all over the place there. If the water temperature stabilizes, they might come back.

In a last-ditch effort, I ran southwest to a little wreck in hopes of chumming up some grouper and the elusive kings. We put out the lines and got the Warren family of Miami, fishing the bottom for snapper and grouper. The live well was stocked with tons of sardines, threadfins, blue runners and pinfish.

As soon as the live chummers hit the water, we had a huge school of amberjack and a few cobia come to the surface. We had the jacks so worked up they were crashing into the side of the boat and hitting baits in the air.

We actually were taking the bait from the smaller ones and targeting the 30- to 40-pound fish. When we left, we dumped the rest of the bait from the live well and just watched in amazement. What a cool sight.

Thursday, captain Mike and I will be hosting a seminar and cookout at Pirate's Point Resort in Ruskin. The activities start around 6:30 p.m., so bring the family for food, fish and fun.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the "Reel Animals Fishing Show" on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. and Sundays from 11-11:30 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on 1040 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit

reelanimalsfishingshow.com.

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