CAPT. BILL MILLER
“OUTDOORS PROFESSIONAL”
Marketing/Sales Specialist • Grand Master Angler • TV Host/Writer

 

BILL’S FISHING REPORTS
Current Advice for Catching More Fish

Mangrove Snapper Invading Bay Area

Posted August 02 2006
By Bill Miller
Now is the time to target mangrove snapper, which are in their spawning season in Tampa Bay and can be found in bunches. Prime spots include the reefs at Egmont Key, Port Manatee, Bahia Beach, Port Tampa, the reefs off downtown St. Petersburg and between the Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges.
Most of these spots are on the Tampa Bay charts with GPS coordinates. In addition to these spots, check the ship channel edges near the Sunshine Skyway. Look for rock piles along the edge and sharp drop-offs with fish marked on your depth finder.

Anchor uptide and put over a frozen chum block. Cut up pieces of white bait or shrimp and add that to the chum line. Use live shrimp or white bait, a No. 1 hook, 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and just enough lead to get to the bottom.
Snapper are aggressive feeders, so when you feel a nibble, jerk the rod or your bait will be gone. After 15 or 20 minutes, look in your chum line. The snapper may be up in the water column feeding on the chum. If so, take off the weight and free-drift bait into the chum line.

This technique will work around all of the area bridges. Fish and chum under the bridges near the pilings.
Tarpon anglers throwing artificial baits are lighting it up in the Rocky Point, Safety Harbor, Courtney Campbell Parkway and Howard Frankland areas. MirrOlures and DOAs are the top lures.

Captain Bill Miller is a native fishing guide and TV show host. Visit www.billmiller.com.

Reports Archive
3/2/06
3/9/06
6/29/06
7/05/06
7/13/06
7/20/06