Hooked on Fishing Host Gives Tampa Bay Outlook

Bill Miller of Hooked on Fishing with Capt. Bill Miller reported that trout fishing is good all along the west coast and in Tampa Bay over the grass flats in 3-to-6 feet of water.

He recommended for ladyfish, jack crevalle, snapper and many other species, try drifting a live shrimp, white bait with a circle hook under a cork.

Also, he said to get a high tide with quickly-moving water on an outgoing tide for redfish. He said a fresh-cut pinfish or dead thread herring, fished on the bottom, has been working well for the reds.

"Spanish mackerel will be around all summer long," Miller reported. "Silver spoons, live white bait or shrimp will do the job on hungry macs."

Tarpon, of course, are covered around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and off the beaches. Miller recommends also fishing them at night around lighted bridges.

Finally, red snapper season opened June 1 and will close July 18. Miller recommends fishing pods of bait in at least 80 feet of water over wrecks, ledges and hard-bottom areas. Many captains think a sardine-squid combination is lethal on red snapper. Anglers can keep two red snapper per day, per angler, at a minimum of 16 inches on total length.