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Captain's Corner: Go after tarpon, snook, others

 
Published June 10, 2014

What's hot: Tarpon are grinding it out around Egmont Key. Live threadfin and sardines are the hot baits. The trick is to chum heavily and fish back into the chum slick. Snook also are being cooperative as they gorge themselves in preparation for the spawn. Medium-sized sardines fished in potholes around creek mouths have been producing snook up to 36 inches with lots of pups in the mix.

Tips: Redfish are also, on cue, eating cut threadfins in and around the mullet schools. Watch for the happy mullet (the ones jumping), and fish the area thoroughly for the spotted ones. Sharks are also on the menu, many longer than 5 feet and require an 80-pound leader and a short wire bite tippet. A hunk of bluefish or jack will bring one in. For the fly guys, fish for tarpon on the bridges at night and on the bars on the beach during the morning incoming tide.

Tim Whitfield can be reached at (813) 714-0889 or tim@swiftfishcharters.com.