Captain’s Corner: Rob Gorta

The Tampa Bay Times

The full spring run of all species in our area is in full swing.  Whatever species you would like to target, inshore or offshore, is as good as it gets.  Small Redfish schools continue to show up in the flats around Pinellas point.  Time on the water is the only way to effectively track the day-to-day migration of redfish schools.  I start fishing at a low tide spot, then as the water level rises, I will move and follow the school until they are comfortable, this usually happens on a higher tide. Kings are being caught offshore.  I have friends telling me that the fast-moving pelagic species are eating every bait that hits the water. I look forward to this time of year for one reason.  I normally target redfish on a day-to-day basis, but the spring season allows me to mix it up and target several different species.  If kings are being caught offshore, then the next best thing to target is the Brown bomber.  Cobia is one of the most traveled species on earth.  They can be found in every warm ocean and will swim around a floating object.  I will travel countless miles in the bay, looking at every piling, buoy, day board, and channel marker.  If cobia is around, it will be swimming on the surface right next to the structure.Every species will eat just about anything you offer.  I will stop at a bridge first thing in the morning and fill the well with as many types of bait as possible.  I will usually get pinfish, scaled sardines, threadfins, grunts, and ladyfish in the cast net.  The number one key to fishing is having everything possible to present to the fish when the opportunity rises. Get out and fish, there is no better way to practice social distancing. 

Captain Rob Gorta

727-647-7606

www.captainrobgorta.com