Captain’s Corner: Rob Gorta

The Tampa Bay Times

Threadfin herring and Scaled sardines can be found up and down our suncoast with ease.  Most of the bait is bait is on the smaller side, so have a ¼ inch mess cast net to prevent the smaller baits from getting stuck in the net.  Spanish mackerel, kingfish, Cobia, Bonita, sharks and jack crevalles are the prominent species that are will be on the prowl.   Sea trout, one of the most popular and easiest of all to catch is starting to show up everywhere on the grass flats now that the water temperatures are lower from all of the rain. Learning to how to throw a cast net can be one of the best things that anyone could ever learn in our area.  We are fortunate to have one of the healthiest, and most variety of baitfish anywhere.  Filling the live well with threadfins, Scaled sardines, pinfish, grunts, mullet, ladyfish, and shrimp will provide action for any targeted species.  The main goal is to have the proper bait for anything that might happen while out on the water.  I have been taking advantage of the deep grass flats in 5 to 9 feet of water. All of the above mentioned species can be found in this area.  Once I am set over the grass, I start live bait chumming.  This starts a feeding frenzy of any species in the area.  Action is fast and furious and every cast that is made results in a strike.  On a recent trip, we caught over thirteen species of fish and only stopped because we were wore out.

Captain Rob Gorta

727-647-7606

www.captainrobgorta.com