Grand Slam fishing aboard the Flat Back II continued this week for a number of anglers.  A good mix of fish other than snook, trout, and reds were also caught on the low tide days of this full moon lunar eclipse week.

     Dick Bezousek, high bidder for a Tampa CCA all-release fishing trip that I donated, joined me for a half-day of fishing down in Terra Ceia and lower Tampa Bays.  Dick’s friend Don came along in the quest for a quick slam.  The tide had already turned to come in when Dick and Don arrived at our 7:30 a.m. appointed time.  All was ready as we hopped aboard in search of snook, trout, and reds. 

     The beginning of our trip found us in Terra Ceia Bay waters looking to pop a few trout or redfish in the shallow potholes that dot the bay.  Throwing CAL Shad Tail Jigs and MirrOlure She Dogs, the three of us connected with a number of nice trout over 20-inches with the largest stretching the tape at about 24-inches.  The action continued for an hour or more before we connected with the first of five redfish caught that day.  This one was hanging in one of the many yellow sandy holes near a small opening between a small cut in the mangroves.  The light winds followed the incoming tide, pushing tiny baitfish through the opening in the mangroves.  A long cast to the edge of the hole near the cut resulted in an instant hook-up as the red turned on the jig and engaged the drag.  The red scorched off about 25-yards of line before changing direction, heading back for the boat.  The fish went under and around the boat in its attempt to escape, but finally tired from the fight and was landed.  It wasn’t a big red, but a nice slot fish, which was promptly released.  Prior to release, I recorded information including the fish’s length and took a small fin clip sample from the anterior portion of the dorsal fin for use by FWC scientists with Project Tampa Bay. 

     Continuing around the outside of lower Tampa Bay we found more redfish and trout.  The rising water was beginning to flood mangrove areas and oyster bars.  As I poled my Action Craft over some skinny areas no deeper than 6 or 8-inches I noted a number of flounder skittering away from the boat.  The swashes surrounding the bars heading up on the flat seemed to be holding good number of these flatties.  Casting the CAL Shads and dragging them over the bottom, we begin to catch flounder.  A number of these fine-eating fish were caught and released.  Several would have probably made the leader boards of most any area tournaments.

     The water was flat calm, and nary a cat’s paw of air disturbed the surface.  Shortly after entering the bay, what seemed to be a rogue wave was seen several blocks away and heading in our direction.  The closer the wave got, I realized that it was a school of very large jack crevalle pushing baitfish schools and feasting on them at will.  The school contained a few hundred jacks from 10-to 14-pounds apiece and was heading directly for the boat!  Putting down my jigging rod, I picked up a baitcaster with a MirrOlure He Dog tied on.  When the school got within casting range, I let the big topwater bait fly, leading the school so as to allow the bait to drop on the lead fish.  The bait hardly had a chance to touch down when a big jack grabbed it and took off.  A fight ensued lasting another 10-minutes before the brute was brought to the boat and released.  The fish was close to 10-pounds. 

     Snook seemed to have lockjaw.  Linesiders are known to be quite temperamental in their feeding habits, one of the things that make them so mysterious.  Finally, a CAL Jig was presented before a willing participant, and a slam was recorded for the record.  The day closed with over 35-trout being caught, 5 reds, snook, jacks, flounder, and a number of “whiskered marlin”.  It was a nice day on the water with some great fishing and nice folks.

     The fishing the rest of the week was also quite good, considering Wednesday’s full moon and lunar eclipse.  Fish continued to eat, with snook typically being the most finicky.  Sometimes when the fishing gets tough, I'll try something different.  I tried one of the new Berkley Gulp lures, and they worked when some others were refused.  When the fish are biting, sometimes the fish will eat anything, but when the fishing gets tough, I’ll try any kind of artificial bait to get them to eat.  It’s when you toss something new that they have never seen that you might get bit.

     At 11 a.m. Saturday, Manatee County angler, Roger Williams, brought fly gear, looking to get in a little fly-fishing.  We began the day fishing an incoming tide in lower Tampa Bay for snook.  The water was crystal clear.  We were spotting plenty of fish, but they were seeing us too.  Poling the boat over the shallow potholes, we saw at least 50 snook up to 12-pounds that would not eat Rogers fly patterns.  Roger had shots at a number of nice fish, but no takers.  The presentations were worthy of a strike, but the fish felt otherwise.  After an hour or so of casting practice and frustration from refusals, we picked up baitcasters with topwater MirrOlure She Dogs.  A long cast would result in a redfish following right to the boat, but no strike.  Roger continued with the topwater and I picked up my spinning rod, making long casts in the ultra-clear water with CAL Shad tail jigs.  It wasn’t long before I was hooked up with a red.  The fish just wanted something subsurface, but the topwater attracted the fish enough to make him show.  Switching to CAL jigs now, we both hooked up with flounder, trout, snook, and redfish.  Two nice reds were released, along with several dozen trout.  As the day went on, snook turned on inside Terra Ceia Bay, and we were there for the action.  MirrOlure She Dogs, He Dogs, and CAL Shad Tail Jigs again were blasted by the linesiders.  It was another grand slam day.  Nothing could be better than good fishing with great company, in nice weather, and in the beautiful area I fish.

     While the fishing part of the equation seems much better when catching is added to the mix, it’s not enough to just fish.  The catching part of it is necessary to determine the success of the redfish hatchery program for Project Tampa Bay.  I found an interesting article on the program that gives information on how you can help.  Click on this site and get involved in the future of your fishery.  http://www.baysoundings.com/fall02/reds.html.  ‘Til then…catch ya later!

Capt. Ray Markham

(941) 723-2655