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Bite should really start to improve

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By BILLY NOBLES

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2009

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.

With temperatures dropping after the first cold front of the year, you would think the bite would be on fire.

Well, not quite.

The bite has been tough this week. We have caught some fish, but we have had to work for them.

Captain Mike and I ran a trip Thursday and we caught keeper snook, redfish and trout along with a couple of small flounder, but it was a struggle to put together a string of fish.

We have another front coming through today, and judging by the condition of the fish we caught, the bite should be strong this morning ahead of the front.

The grouper bite continues to be great when the wind and choppy seas let you out. We are also getting reports of blackfin tuna in 90-foot depths.

The bite in the Bay is going off, and grouper trolling guru Vance Tice of Tightlines Tackle is absolutely smoking the grouper along the shipping channel.

With water temps in the mid-70s, our fall kingfish run is in full swing with plenty of schoolies to be had along the beaches and the occasional smoker mixed in.

One of my favorite baits for the kings is a smaller Spanish mackerel. He won't last long if there is a smoker in the vicinity, so be sure to have a reel with plenty of line capacity and run the drag at about 4 pounds of pressure to prevent the hooks from pulling.

Catch 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 NBC, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 7-9 a.m. on 620 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAME-FISH or visit www.reelanimal

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