Captain’s Corner: Mike Gore

The Tampa Bay Times

If Tarpon fishing is what you wait for all year, then now is the time. Good amounts of fish have made their way into our area on the new moon this past weekend. They are following the huge pods of threadfins that have come in from offshore. The Skyway Bridge was hot in early May but has cooled off as of late. Your best bet is to fish the passes that come into the bay. There are also nice schools of fish running the beach. The passes can get a little hectic this time of year, so if crowds are not your thing, then I would target the fish on the beach. Tarpon are eating live threadfins and crabs better this year than I have seen in years past.

I am surprised with the water temperature sitting at 86 degrees to still find so many Snook sitting on the shallow water flats. They are eating everything in site like it was Spring. Take advantage of it while it lasts. The big females have made their way to the beach and passes. They are not eating that well yet. The catches have come on dead bait soaking on the bottom.

If you’re an offshore person, then you I am sure you are happy to see the opening of Red Snapper and Gag Grouper on June 1^st. Between Red Snapper, Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, and all the other Snappers out in the Gulf, you can a great day offshore.

Capt. Mike Gore