Capt. Mel's "GoFishing" Tampa Tribune column -- Published on 5.3.08

Ft. Desoto Redfish Too Big To Keep

By CAPT. MEL BERMAN, 970-WFLA

It’s one of those problems most anglers really don’t mind – hooking redfish way too big to keep. Though these bulls are not destined for the table, they’re a fun catch and release fish, doggedly pulling drag and fighting all the way in. 

 “There are large schools of reds all over the area – all around Ft. Desoto, Boca Ciega Bay and all throughout lower Tampa Bay,” reports Capt. Chad Calhoun. 

Working mangrove edges and oyster bars, he has his best production using scented plastics, scaled sardines and chunks of ladyfish or any type of cut bait. The latter is “dead-sticked” on the bottom, not moved until a red comes along and picks it up.

His preference is fishing the latter part of the incoming and the beginning of the outgoing tides. Though most of these reds are too big to keep, Calhoun assured us that there are always some slot sized fish to take home for dinner. Most of the reds he’s been catching average 25 to 30-inches.

Capt. Brent Gaskill has been working the beaches and nearshore artificial reefs, catching kingfish, Spanish mackerel, sharks, barracuda, and amberjack with consistency. "Scaling tackle down to 10-pound test spinning rods has kept it fun and challenging," he said. However, on a deeper wreck he stepped it up to 20-pound spinning gear, which is still considered light for those particular species.