By David Brown
“TOPWATER TROUT TACTICS”
One of the most visually exciting techniques for catching speckled
trout is walking a topwater plug at daybreak. Strikes are sudden,
aggressive and heart-pounding. For optimal success, Capt. Greg DeVault
suggests shortening bite leaders from the normal 18-24 inch length
to about six inches. The logic being that a longer, heavier leader
will sink and pull the nose of the lure downward just enough to
distort its action. Also, he said, large topwaters diminish in effectiveness
after sunup, when trout can see better. Big trout will still hit
a big bait, but the larger lures usually intimidate smaller fish,
so just decide if you want more action or a few shots at lunker
trout. For fishing charters, call DeVault at 727-919-8666.
“LOCAL BAITS BEST BET FOR KINGS”
Capt. Larry Mastry, of Mastry’s Bait and Tackle in St. Petersburg,
FL knows that frisky live baits are most effective for kingfish.
He also knows that indigenous baitfish typically meet with the most
immediate aggression. That said, whenever Mastry comes across a
bait school that kings have driven to the surface, he always catches
several baitfish with gold hooks and immediately deploys them on
stinger rigs. Trolling just outside the school makes his baits appear
vulnerable, easy targets for hungry kings. Next time kingfishing
tops your hit list, feed ‘em what they’re already eating
and you’ll do just fine. For kingfish tackle and advice, call
Mastry at (727) 896-8889.
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“SHALLOW SHARKING”
When Capt. Art Paiva of Ruskin, FL hunts sharks on the shallow flats
of Southeastern Tampa Bay, diversity defines his gameplan. Because
the two most common species — blacktips and bonnetheads —
feed differently, Paiva likes to cover the water depths with live
shrimp. One bait floats beneath a popping cork or a rattling Cajun
Thunder cork rig, while another is threaded tail-first onto a 1/4-ounce
jig head for a bottom presentation. Blacktips generally go for the
suspended bait, while bonnetheads feed with their noses to the sand.
Paiva also free lines a shrimp on a single hook for sharks cruising
the mid depths. For shark trips, call Paiva at (813) 645-2364 or
601-2772.
“BOTTOM BUMPING FOR GROUPER”
When trolling for grouper over rocky channel edges, Capt. Randy
Rochelle prefers the last of the incoming tide or the first of the
outgoing stage. Both periods mean moving water will carry baitfish
and crustaceans to the grouper. The bite usually decreases on slack
tide as the absence of water movement stops the natural food service.
Conversely, at the tide’s strongest, grouper won’t expend
the energy to sit atop the rocks and feed. They’ll move underneath
and hide in their holes until the water slows. For added appeal,
Rochelle rubs menhadden oil on his jig skirts and tails —
this makes grouper hang on longer for better hook-ups. For grouper
trips, call Rochelle at (727) 365-3218 or (727) 528-1213.
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