Captain’s Corner: Jay Mastry

The Tampa Bay Times

The water temperature is just right and there’s still plenty of mackerel and kingfish to tangle with.  This too is traditionally when massive schools of silver trout swarm into the hard bottom areas off Madeira and Redington Beaches .  They’ll gang up in the schools of glass minnows and fry bait that gather in 8 to 15 feet.  Diving birds will often give away their whereabouts.  Your bottom recorder can dial you in to exactly where they are.  Without electronics or the obvious signs, on an east wind get right up near the swim buoys and drift out til you locate them.  Light spinning tackle works best and when you’re in them good you can catch them two at a time on tandem rigged jigs.  Store bought ones work great or you can make your own.  Because of their abrasive mouths and the mackerel and bluefish that at times roam with them, I make mine with 30 lb. test leader material.  A ¼ oz. jig head on the bottom and a 1/8 above allows for longer casts.  Mix up colors of your rubber tails til you determine which they prefer on a given day.  Pale pink, white and root beer have been among tried and true performers.  If the waters dirty or you’ve drifted out of the heavier concentrations, tipping your jigs with pieces of shrimp can help prolong the bite.  The scent will help them find their way.   Silver trout are chilly water tolerant and can provide great action into the colder conditions as some other species may become dormant.

Captain Jay Mastry