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Champs get in on action

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 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.

George Companioni, guided by captain Mark Gore, caught a 31-inch snook fishing in the Johnny Ferlita Memorial Fishing Tournament. Gore says the Cypress Beach and Fourth Street areas are loaded with big snook.

Also placing high in the standings were Luke Helms and members of the Alonso High School state championship baseball team. The Helms team was fishing with captain Dave Walker in the Fort DeSoto area. Captain Danny Guarino fished the South Shore area with Nancy Crane, Risa Trammel and Melissa Helms. Snook and trout were plentiful with double-digit limits, but Guarino said redfish were hard to find. All proceeds from the event went to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Kingfish and Spanish mackerel are still here and biting in the Egmont ship channel; markers 9-10 and 11-12 are the hot spots. Slow trolling or drifting with live bait has been very successful. Bait can be caught around the markers using sabiki rigs or cast-netted at the Sunshine Skyway.

Captain Billy Miller and I had fast action on tarpon charters the past two days. Hooking eight to 10 tarpon per tide has been the norm fishing the Skyway bridge pilings and along the Fort DeSoto beach. Free-lined greenbacks around the bridge pilings and corked greenbacks and crabs along the beach have been the way to go.

Snook season closes Monday and reopens on Sept. 1. Catch-and-release only during that period.

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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