Captain’s Corner: Jay Mastry

The Tampa Bay Times

It may be a day or two before we can tinker with any of the fishin toys we got for Christmas.  This latest cold front has roughed the seas and muddied the water.  When we can get back to it, sheepshead will be among our targeted species.  They don’t mind how cold or rough it is and can be caught nearly anywhere barnacles grow.  They can be fished from docks, seawalls, bridges, jetties and piers.  I’ve always liked rock piles, artificial reefs and the edges of the ships channel in Tampa Bay .  Fiddler crabs are one of my favorite baits but not always available.  Shrimp work great and when broken into pieces can go a long ways.  As I’ve grown older – my Christmas wish list has shortened.  I’ve got all the rods and reels I’ll ever be able to use.  I’ve got coolers, castnets, and raingear I’ve not yet got wet.  There’s brand new filet knives, long nose pliers, line and wire cutters still in their packages somewhere in my garage.  I’ve got back ups to back up nearly everything on my boat.  All my fishing buddies that used to have to pull my anchor already thought it was Christmas when I got my GPS trolling motor (one of the greatest inventions of all time for boaters).  Having so far survived 2020 – all I really want for Christmas is a healthier, happier, merrier 2021. 

Captain Jay Mastry