Captain’s Corner: Brent Gaskill

The Tampa Bay Times

Capt. Brent Gaskill
 
 
 

        Tarpon are not the only species occupying the beaches right now.  Snook have taken up their summer residence there as well.  While the tarpon can be found on the outside of the sand bar along the swim buoy line, the snook are inside the bar in the swash right off the dry sand.  There’s no better way to target them than to take a walk on the beach with a pocket full of artificial lures or flies.  Look for dark shapes cruising slowly and make casts ahead of their travel lane.  Don’t be afraid to allow your lure to lie still on the bottom and then drag it through the sand when a fish approaches imitating a small crab or sand flea. On beaches where boats have access to the inside swash channel, baits can be cast right up to the sand and then pulled out to an intersecting course with the fish.  Occasionally a school of redfish or a few trout can also be found in these same locations.  Another bonus species traveling up and down our beaches right now are manatees for your viewing pleasure only.