Captain’s Corner: Rob Gorta

The Tampa Bay Times

The beaches are covered in baitfish.  Threadfin herring and scaled sardines can be found up and down our suncoast.  Migratory species are preying on these bait schools.  Spanish mackerel, kingfish, cobia, bonita, sharks and large breeder redfish is the prominent species that are on the prowl. Diving sea birds are a great way to find feeding schools of redfish. 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 arises. Slow trolling threadfin herring this time of the year off the beaches can entice any of the pelagic species to bite.  I start by locating schools of baitfish less than a mile from the beach and deploy baits on a light drag setting using light wire to prevent break offs from toothy fish.  Look for those large schools of Redfish while offshore, they can be a surprise catch while trolling off the beach during this month.

Captain Rob Gorta

727-647-7606www.fishingstpetersburg.com