Captain’s Corner: Jay Mastry

The Tampa Bay Times

Whitebait has lately become a bit of a challenge to gather.  Chilly water temperature and extreme low tides influenced by last weekends’ new moon have pushed much of our bait in southern Pinellas to a little deeper water.  Over the weekend some of my favorite “bait flats” didn’t have any water on them at all.  We’ve recently cast netted much of our bait in 10 to 12 feet.  Once located, a larger mesh bait net may be required.  The ¼ inch mesh that is most effective in 5 feet or less doesn’t sink fast enough in the deeper depths.  Even a 3/8 inch mesh can make a difference.  Recent bottom fishing trips along the ships channel in Tampa Bay haven’t produced as well as those we’ve had offshore.  On days we can comfortably go, and this time of year with windy conditions that’s not many, we’ve enjoyed some non-stop action in 40-50 ft.  While we always gather some whitebait before we go, take along a bunch of shrimp too.  You’ll likely catch all the grunts you care to clean then the hogfish, triggerfish, porgies, sheepshead and some other bottom dwellers get chummed up.  Though we get most of our mangrove snapper and grouper on the whitebait, we get our share of mangos on the shrimp too.  While the weather’s iffy, there’s not a better time to have boat, motor and trailer’s maintenance scheduled.  You’ll not want to do it when the weather settles and the fish are chewin’ the bottom out of your boat.

Captain Jay Mastry

It’s that time of year when planning offshore trips may be futile due to winter blows seemingly every few days.  It too is when some nearshore activity can make up for it.  Now is when flounder will at times gang up on artificial reefs, wrecks and rock piles often within 5 or 6 miles of the beach.  Shrimp, whitebait or even a variety of jigs drug along the sandy bottom near the structures will get their attention.  Silver trout will gather in big numbers even closer to shore.  They are chilly water tolerant and can be caught in 10 to 15 feet off the rocky bottom areas along Madeira and Redington beaches.  I like tandem rigged jigs on light spinning tackle and a variety of colored tails until we figure out what they prefer on a given day.  If the waters muddied up a bit, try tipping your jig with a piece of shrimp.  The scent will help them find their way.  Once you get in them good, it won’t be necessary and you’ll catch em’ two at a time.  Sheepshead are another option and land based anglers can get in on the action too.  Now’s when you’ll find “sheepies” hanging around dock pilings, bridges, jetties, artificial wrecks and nearly any structure that has barnacles growing on it.  Barnacles themselves may be the best bait but scraping them and then threading them on your hook takes a little doing.  Small shrimp or pieces work just fine.  Fiddler crabs are hard to beat but not all bait shops carry them.  Keep in mind mackerel and kingfish will be here in just over a month.  Do whatever you can now in preparation of their arrival.

Captain Jay Mastry