With continued warm weather and higher than normal water temperatures lower Tampa Bay's snook action continues red hot. My mornings started by running to local bridges for bait. White baits very abundant and easy to gather. With strong outgoing morning tides this week it's critical to have a good quality fast sinking 3'8" or bigger net. You want bait to fish and chum so load up.
We started morning's targeting sea trout on grass flats with good success. Targeting sandy potholes in 3-6' resulted in quick limits. Baits free lined or on floats scored. Areas with good tidal flow will also hold mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish and sharks. When these toothy critters move in I re rig with long shank hooks and 40 pound fluorocarbon leader.
We moved off the deeper grass flats targeting my personal favorite snook. With warm water temperatures I've been targeting mangrove shorelines I typically fish in November. Rocks, sandy potholes, mangroves are the spots to start. I load the chum bait and sling baits first to see if anyone's home.
Once I locate snook we quickly deploys white baits on 2/0 circle hooks. Always cast up current and let the bait naturally come to the snook. Our first bait in was met with a big explosion and it was game on. Over the next hour it was nonstop snook to 28".
We have a cold front passing this weekend it's going to be interesting to see how the bait and snook action will be post front.
Captain Steven Markovich
