Fishing is fun! That’s what I always say, but sometimes it isn’t very fun. Catching bait is part of the game here in Tampa Bay. This past week the bait has been good. I had been catching it no problem. Yesterday was a different story….
I started to morning early because of the time change and tried getting bait in the dark. An hour and a half into it, and I was struggling. I had only about 40 baits and had thrown the net 20 times or more. Tired, frustrated, and in desperation mode; I throw the net and it gets tangled in my trolling motor. This time of year, we are catching bait in deep water off the bridges or range markers, so you have to deal with a lot of current at times and spot locking with your trolling motor. I have to put away from the bridge and free my net from the trolling motor only to have a net so tangled that I couldn’t fix it.
I run to the ramp and intercept a fellow captain and he lends me his backup net. I run back to the bridge and another captain is pulling off. He gives me a scoop of bait and some more chum. Now I have 30 mins before pick up. I head back to the bridge, chum the crap out of it, and whack the hell out of the bait in 3 throws! Thank God! Head back to the ramp loaded down with bait. See the Captain that gave me chum and a scoop of bait, and I give him 3 giants scoops of bait. Favor returned with interest!
Clients jump aboard and we head out to the first three spot only to jump one snook. Nothing was happening. Then we head back up north to get into one of the creeks. We are making our way into the mouth and unfortunately hit a manatee. Motor shuts down. I get a check engine code and another wave of panic hits. I have to shut everything down, turn off my batteries and start over. Luckily, the engine turned on and everything was good.
We start working the shorelines and start catching some fish. Caught a few nice snook and redfish and a lot of giant ladyfish. The action still isn’t that great. Now I had spent the last two days scouting for this trip. Time on the water is your best friend. I told the guys we are going to go hit this single oyster bar in the middle of a big flat and wait for the fish to show up. Make the run and get into position.
I start chumming the water and right now the birds are insane. Pelicans, terns, cormorants, and blue herons have all joined the party, but it was like that the day before and I caught 7 or 8 reds. Eventually Al’s rod goes off and it’s his first redfish. Not only was it his first, but it was 31 and ¼ inches. Then while he is fighting it another rod goes off. For the next 30 mins we land 6 more reds.
Now it is close to leaving and I throw a bait out. While I’m casting, I jokingly say, “I’m going to throw this bait into a fish’s mouth”. It hits the water and within 5 seconds it gets slammed and takes off. Monster snook! I coach Todd perfectly to get this snook in. Snook it done for, tired, and gliding to the boat. I am about ready to net the big girl and the hook just falls out 5 feet from the boat. She proceeds to swim under the boat so I lung for it with the net and miss. She slowly swims out of sight and out of our lives forever!! Heartbreak! Snook was easily 40 to 42 inches long. I guess that’s why the call it fishing!
This spring is off to an excellent start and it is only going to get better and better as we get higher and higher tides. If you are looking for a Tampa Bay fishing charters, now is the time to get on the books, before the dog days of summer are here!
Capt. Bucky Goldman of Bag’Em Fishing Charters 407-977-7650