Captain’s Corner: Brent Gaskill

The Tampa Bay Times

Capt. Brent Gaskill
 
 
 

        Right now you can get a 2-for-1 deal on species fishing the same location, with the same bait, rigged the same way. Both sheepshead and mangrove snapper are actively feeding on many of the same structures throughout the bay. My go-to is shrimp fished on a light knocker-rig.  I’ve been cutting my live shrimp in half turning 5-dozen baits into 10-dozen baits (another 2-for-1).  Both sheepshead and snapper are known bait thieves and putting a whole shrimp on the hook can result in loosing at least half of it before a bite can be detected.  The knocker-rig set up helps in feeling the subtle bites as it keeps you in constant contact with the bait.  The hook set is not as difficult as some want you to believe.  Simply lift the rod tip slightly, if the weight of the fish is felt, quickly reel while continuing to lift.  If the fish is not felt, drop the rod tip back down.  Many times a second strike will occur when the bait drops back to the bottom.