While Snook, Redfish and Tarpon are Tampa Bay's glamour species anglers looking for quick action turn to these crowd favorites. Sharks, Mackerel, Jacks, Ladyfish, Trout, Bluefish, Flounder, Sheepshead, and Snapper. All make for great action for kids and novice anglers and seasoned anglers looking for hot action.
Kids get bored quickly so it's imperative as a Captain I plan a trip that keeps everyone occupied. Many anglers would rather keep rods bent than look for one or two of the glamour species. Mackerel have to be one of the best bets! Find mackerel and they will almost always cooperate, look for diving birds or boiling waters indicating mackerel are chasing baitfish to the surface. These speedsters are easy to locate.
There are numerous tactics which will consistently take Mackerel. Probably one of the easiest ways is fly ling live baits. Rig 3' of leader to a long shank 1/0 hook finished with a white bait. Anchor on deep grass flats, deploy a chum bag and the action should be quick.
My favorite tactic is locating schools chasing bait. Set the boat up current and drift through the school. Casting silver Clark spoons rapidly through these schools is as close to a guarantee hook up as you can find. Light to medium action spinning rods and reels make for great action.
Trolling local bridges, piers and ship channels can be amazingly effective. Troll silver spoons utilizing planners or 3-5 oz of weight at 5-6knots. Target areas like the Skyway Bridges, ship canal or areas with diving birds or bait fish dimpling the surface.
The mackerel invasion is underway, take advantage of this sport fish and I promise a great day for all.
Captain Steven Markovich
www.onthemarkcharters.com
