Sports
Tampa Tackle Shop Closes; Gag Grouper Season To Open
Vance Tice from Tightlines Tackle said the tackle shop is going out of business, but that didn't stop him from handing out several tips for boating that keeper gag grouper beginning April 1
Vance Tice of Tightlines Tackle, 6924 North Armenia Avenue, said his last day at the shop was Thursday.
The tackle shop is going out of business.
That said, gag grouper season in state waters re-opens April 1.
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During the open season, recreational anglers may keep two gag grouper within the five-grouper aggregate daily limit in state waters (within 9 nautical miles offshore). The minimum size limit for gags is 22 inches in total length.
Tice said the majority of gags he catches are by the Skyway, in the four cuts -- 'A' through 'D' cut -- by the northern part of the bridge. A "cut" is present when the channel takes a noticeable turn.
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“The first three or four buoys are 'A' cut,” Tice said. “And so on.”
He recommends fishing the channel edge and around rock piles in the same areas.
“I use a downrigger and jig, mostly,” Tice said. “If you're in the strike zone, you'll catch fish.”
That means keeping your bait within 2 feet off the bottom.
Tice said he's heard reports of tons of Spanish mackerel and speckled trout up the Hillsborough River to the Hillsborough Bridge.
“I've never seen so many speckled trout up that far,” Tice said. “And nice trout: 18-24 inches.”
He added some large Spanish mackerel are around area bridges; redfish and snook and turned on in the center of Old Tampa Bay; and bait had made an early appearance on the flats.
Kingfish and tarpon should be right behind them.