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Reds, Sea Trout Keep Area Anglers Happy

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By MEL BERMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2009

GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Mel Berman.

These recent shots of cold air have done nothing to slow two of our favorite winter species - redfish and sea trout. They've been showing up in virtually every inshore venue.

While most skippers this time of year head north of Clearwater, captain Lynn Amburn has been going south to work the myriad structures along the Intracoastal Waterway south of Clearwater Bridge. He reports catching impressive numbers of redfish and trout, and the occasional black drum. Working several docks south of Clearwater Pass this week, Amburn and his clients caught 10 nice reds and lost several others in the structures.

"We used select-sized shrimp for bait, cutting them in half and putting them on a quarter-ounce jig head," Amburn said, adding they also caught some decent trout and about six sheepshead.

Meanwhile, most of Amburn's fellow guides report good winter gator catches along the ICW from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs using mostly live shrimp.

Captain Woody Gore said his afternoon charters have been much more productive. "On Tuesday we set up on our spot around 1:30 and, for at least an hour, we were reeling in one big trout after another," he said.

Skippers fishing other Bay area locations report similar experiences. Captain Brent Gaskill, who works the waters off South Pinellas, reports baitfish are beginning to school up, with concentrations of birds overhead working the surface.

"These bait balls will be visited by ladyfish, jacks and bluefish, providing fast action on small buck tail jigs, silver spoons, and chrome Gotcha plugs," he said.

Gaskill suggested using a short trace of light wire ahead of your lure to help prevent cut-offs.

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

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