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Mackerel Action Is Hot

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 15, 2009

Updated: 03/15/2009 12:11 am

GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Bill Miller.
Spanish mackerel have moved into the Skyway Piers. Early-morning anglers have been limiting out using Gotcha plugs, silver spoons and cut greenback under a cork. White bait, greenbacks and Spanish sardines are all along both piers, which is why the macs are there.

Betts Fishing Center reports one of its customers was fishing for snapper at the 1-mile and 3-mile reefs off Anna Maria and was catching kingfish on free-lined white bait. St. Patrick's Day is considered by some to be the start of the spring kingfish season.

Captain T.J. Stewart guided the "Hooked on Fishing" film crew to nonstop snook and redfish action in Anna Maria Sound. For a solid hour, we had two and three rods bent at the same time. The tide was incoming and we were using white bait caught at the Skyway. Later in the day, as the tide got higher, Stewart moved out to The Bulkhead and we had fast trout action on free-lined white baits.

Robin and Ted DeLaVergne, fishing the Boca Grande ship channel with Robin's father, Hank Wright, caught all the mackerel they could handle trolling #1 spoons behind 2- and 4-ounce trolling leads. Mackerel are also reported up to Cape Haze Point in Charlotte Harbor.

Big schools of spawning black drum can be found in Tampa Bay now. Good spots to look include the channel edges of The Clam Bar, Fort DeSoto, Tierra Verde and Weedon Island. Dark colored soft plastics bounced slowly along the bottom will get bites. Live shrimp will also work. Drum this big are not good table fare. Please release carefully.

Captain Bill Miller hosts "Hooked on Fishing" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. on Bright House Sports Network, Channel 47. Captain Bill Miller hosts "Hooked on Fishing" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. on Bright House Sports Network, Channel

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