Captain’s Corner: Brent Gaskill

Tampa Bay Times

Capt. Brent Gaskill
 
 
 

        Red tide is obviously on everyone’s mind and the concern is real.  The truth is the bay is not dead.  Areas not affected by the algae bloom are teaming with life.  Wading birds, jumping mullet, cruising stingrays, and hunting bonnet head sharks are all signs of a healthy flat.  On Tuesday’s charter I cast netted bait with ease at a bridge structure then fished a backcountry mangrove shoreline. We caught snook, redfish, trout, and snapper.  The tide was high which required accurate casts to the edge of the tree limbs, as most of the fish were up in the roots hiding in the shade.  The smaller baits that are typical of this time of year were belly hooked to keep them lively.  We quickly released all fish caught in an effort to eventually aid in the restocking of the devastation other parts of the bay have witnessed.