Captain’s Corner: Brent Gaskill

The Tampa Bay Times

Capt. Brent Gaskill
 
 
 

        My most recent charters have targeted the inshore slam.  In the Tampa Bay area catching snook, redfish, and trout constitutes a slam.  Adding a tarpon to the mix makes it a coveted grand slam.  To target the top three, I typically use three different baits.  For snook we’ve used live, scaled sardines also known as white bait or pilchards.  The technique has been to free-line them without weight or a float allowing them to swim naturally.  For redfish we’ve used fresh cut ladyfish.  The technique has been to fan cast several baits out allowing them to lie on the bottom for the redfish to find.  For trout we’ve changed it up and used artificial lures. I’m a firm believer when it comes to trout fishing that lures will out-produce live bait.  The technique has been to drift while making long casts ahead of the boat.  While jigs have accounted for the greatest numbers of trout, top-water plugs have caught the larger ones.  Of course, this time of year all three species can be found in some of the same locations.  So while we’ve fished live bait for snook, we’ve also caught reds and trout.  While red fishing with cut-bait we’ve also caught snook and trout.  It’s a win-win combination right now.  The ticket has been location, location, and location.  You won’t catch anything no matter what bait your using if the fish aren’t there.