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Inshore fishing slams for all

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 13, 2009

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

Captain Lee Blick guided the "Hooked on Fishing" film crew and guests to grand slam inshore fishing this week. Everybody on the boat caught snook between 30 and 39 inches along the Gulf beaches, redfish to 35 inches and trout to 21 inches fishing the Fort DeSoto grass flats and keys. Frisky white bait was the ticket for snook and trout, while fresh-cut pinfish did the job on the reds.

Look to the ship channel for kings and Spanish mackerel, captain Harry Connor says. Connor also reports that grouper and snapper can be had further offshore over hard-bottom ledges using live pinfish and greenbacks. Permit are hit or miss over shallow-water wrecks and reefs.

Blue-water bottom fishing from 150 feet and out has been good, according to captain Paul Rodgers. Big American red snapper and giant grouper are biting over Swiss cheese bottom and bait stacks. Captain Chris Clark caught a pending world record true black grouper fishing the 26-fathom curve.

Captain Billy Miller and I have been getting great tarpon action on our charters this week. Top spots include the Skyway, Egmont Key and the Gulf beaches. It can get crowded in the tarpon fleet. Aggressive boat handling can ruin the bite for everyone. Take your time and be courteous to other fishermen.

Captain Bill Miller hosts "Hooked on Fishing" on Bright House Sports Network, Channel 47. To book a charter with captain Bill or his son captain Billy, call (813) 363-9926.

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