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

 

BILL’S FISHING REPORTS
Current Advice for Catching More Fish

Redfish aren't too difficult to find

Posted September 20, 2006
By Bill Miller

Fishing on Tuesday in Crystal River with captain Dan Clymer, we caught redfish until we were tired. Fishing island points with hard limestone bottom was the key to success. Clymer was using live shrimp, rigged on a jig head under a clicking cork, and catching fish in the 12- to 14-inch range. I was using small pinfish, rigged on a circle hook under a clicking cork, and catching fish 18-24 inches. However, the shrimp rig caught twice as many as the pinfish.
Redfish are still plentiful on the flats by Terra Ceia Bay and Piney Point. A few snook and trout also can be found.
Look for diving birds and striking fish to find mackerel, ladyfish and jacks. A No. 1 or 0 spoon trolled behind a small planer or trolling lead is the way to fast action.
Nighttime tarpon action is still available under the lights of Bay area bridges.
Scattered patches of red tide are hanging around the mouth of Tampa Bay. I have seen the carcasses of giant redfish and other smaller fish and have had reports of several areas with dead fish on the shore. That being said, if you are fishing in clean water, you have a good chance of catching fish.
A weak cold front and the westerly wind forecast to arrive with it should stir up the red tide. It could break it up and weaken it - as we hope - or it could spread it out even more. We will just have to wait and see.
Captain Bill Miller hosts “Hooked on Fishing” on Thursdays and Sundays from 7-8 p.m., and Fridays and Mondays from 11 a.m.-noon on Bright House Networks Catch 47.

Reprinted with permission of The Tampa Tribune

Reports Archive
3/2/06
3/9/06
6/29/06
7/05/06
7/13/06
7/20/06
8/02/06
8/09/06
8/16/06
8/31/06
9/0606
9/14/06