Captain’s Corner: Brent Gaskill

The Tampa Bay Times

Capt. Brent Gaskill
 
 
 

        Fishing deeper grass beds can be productive when the temperatures are hot.  I focus my attention around Pinellas Point at the southern tip of Pinellas County, but any large area of grass in 6-feet or more of water with good current flow could be holding an abundance of fish.  Drifting while casting artificial lures can be an excellent way to locate where the fish may be holding.  Once found, we switch to live bait.  Anchoring and chumming will keep those fish within range and help to draw even more in.  A combination of a frozen chum block tied off to a cleat and scoops of live “chummers” tossed back in the tidal flow will get the fish in a feeding mood. In this scenario I use a no. 1 gold hook with a short trace of wire leader above the hook.  Using heavier mono, or fluorocarbon leader paired with a long shank hook is also popular as many of the species caught have very sharp teeth.  Expected catches could include Spanish mackerel, bluefish, sharks, trout, snapper, cobia, and more.