Captain’s Corner: Rob Gorta

The Tampa Bay Times

Tarpon fishing around one of the bay bridges at night is a great way to avoid the hot sun of the day.   Start the evening by throwing the cast net directly under one of the bridge lights.  A few throws of the net should yield enough threadfins, scaled sardines, and pinfish.  I start by hitting the anchor function on my high-definition trolling motor under the brightest light on the up current side of the bridge. Drift baits back in the current, then keep reeling in and drifting baits back baits until you get a strike, when a fish is hooked, I simply hit manual mode and start the outboard to chase the fish, no anchor line to worry about.   Heavier tackle is needed to have a chance to land the fish do to all of the bridge pilings.  I only use two rods, one with a float, and the other is free lined.  I will move up and down the bridge anchoring under different lights trying to draw a strike. Residential dock lights is another way to fish at night.  It can attract a variety of species.  Snook is my number one to target around these lights at night, but trout, redfish, jack crevalle, ladyfish and mangrove snapper are not uncommon to catch in the same area.  Approach is the most important factor, if you pull up to the area with the outboard motor running, the fish will spook away, or simply not bite.  I like to use a trolling motor on the lowest setting to get within casting range.  Heavier braided line along with a tighter drag will help if a fish runs for the pilings.  “Select” sized shrimp is the best bait to throw under the light.  If you do not get a bite, move on to the next dock light.   Capt Rob Gorta

727-647-7606

Fishingstpetersburg,com