By BILLY NOBLES
With the mild temperatures we have been seeing, the fishing is on fire.
Earlier in the week, captain Mike and I went out to record a show with Sarasota captain Geoff Page, one of the best artificial-lure guides on the planet. We caught a ton of speckled trout early in the morning on the negative low tide.
When the tide turned, we caught a handful of redfish before heading out of New Pass and getting beaten up by some bonita.
Later in the week, I fished inshore with E.C. Smith, and we caught some beautiful trout, with the largest weighing almost 5 pounds. We also caught quite a few snook, with the biggest in the slot at 32 1/2 inches. Look for these fish in their winter haunts, where there is deep water close to shallows.
On Friday, we took a group offshore and came in with about 300 pounds of fish. The lesser amberjack bite was incredible on topwater, and on light tackle there is nothing better. The lesser jack is an underrated fish when it comes to the table — they are one of my favorites. To catch them, anchor on your spot and put out a chum bag, then start slinging live greenbacks. If they are around, it won’t take long fro a hookup.
Catch Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the “Reel Animals Fishing Show” on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. and Sundays from 11-11:30 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 7-9 a.m. on 620 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAME-FISH or visit http://www.reelanimalsfishingshow.com.
2009 All Western Conference Football Team
Selected by Hillsborough County public school coaches
AMERICAN DIVISION
First Team Offense
Center- Drew Russo, Sr, Plant
Guards- Andrew Meddaugh, Jr, Robinson; Andrew Calvano, Sr, Alonso
Tackles- Garrett Wolfe, Sr, Jefferson; Demetrius Best, Sr, Gaither
Tight End/ Utility- Mike McFarland, Sr, Blake
Wideouts- Andre Davis, Jr, Jefferson; Allen Sampson, Sr, Plant
Running Backs- T.J. Glover, Sr, Plant; James Wilder, Jr, Plant, Cary White, Jr, Sickles
QB- Quentin Williams, Jr, Jefferson
First Team Defense
Linemen- James Wilder, Jr, Plant; Quintin Preston, Sr, Robinson;
Anthony Chickillo, Jr, Alonso; Derrick Bavol, Sr, Gaither
Linebackers- Mike Mirabella, Sr, Plant; Fred Overstreet, Sr, Jefferson; Scott O’Donoghue, Sr, Sickles; Tevin Newman, Jr, Robinson
Defensive Backs-Javonte Martin, Sr, Plant; Jamal Allen, Sr, Gaither; Frankie Williams, Jr, Robinson
Place Kicker- Chris Finn, Sr, Plant
Punter- Chris Finn, Sr, Plant
Kick Returner- Allen Sampson, Sr, Plant
Coach of the Year- Mike DePue, Robinson
Second Team Offense
Center- Alex Harris, Sr, Alonso
Guards- Nick Verlini, Sr, Sickles; Andre Mondor, Sr, Plant
Tackles- Tona Posada, Jr, Plant; Pierot Adonis, Sr, Alonso
Tight End/ Utility- Ramik Wilson, Jr, Jefferson
Wideouts- Justin Davis, Sr, Alonso; Ruben Gonzalez, Jr, Robinson
Running Backs- Brandon Holloway, So, Alonso; Jeremy Deering, Sr, Leto; Tarik Greensberry, Sr, Leto
QB- C.J. Bennett, Sr, Alonso
Second Team Defense
Linemen- Ian Hopkins, Sr, Sickles; David McCarthy, Sr, Plant
Linebackers- Jahmere Caldwell, Jr, Leto; Josh Scarberry, So, Gaither; Mike Moore, Jr, Blake; Christian Calle, Jr, Jefferson
Defensive Backs- Jameel Gay, Sr, Alonso; Tyree Clark, Jr, Alonso; Dominic White, Sr, Jefferson
Place Kicker- Andres Vasquez, So, Sickles
Punter- Luis Rodriguez, Sr, Leto
Kick Returner- Frank Williams, Jr, Robinson
FEDERAL DIVISION
First Team Offense
Center- Gordon Bertrand, Sr. Plant City
Guards- Alex McKeithan, Sr, East Bay; Will Bramlett, Sr, Riverview
Tackles- Michael Montague, Sr, Newsome; Jacob Johnson, Sr, Durant
Tight End/ Utility- Jordan Prestwood, Jr, Plant City
Wideouts- Sean Watson, Sr, Brandon; Demyco Winston, Sr, Lennard
Running Backs- Dazmond Patterson, So, Plant City; Conner Powers, Jr, Newsome; Ronnie Johnson, Sr, Riverview
QB- Bennie Coney, So, Plant City
First Team Defense
Linemen- Josh Halferty, Jr, Durant; Garrett Fuglaar, Sr, Newsome; John Akins, Sr. , Spoto; Leroy Campbell., Sr, Lennard
Linebackers- Rodney Williams, Jr, Spoto; Ruben Garcia, Sr, Durant; Art Knight, Jr, Plant City; Joe Worth, Jr, Newsome
Defensive Backs- Calvin Sanders, Sr, East Bay; T.J. Davis, Sr, Durant; Nick Addison, JrSpoto
Place Kicker- Forrest Meredith, Sr, East Bay
Punter- Noah Studstill, Sr, Plant City
Kick Returner- David Ray, Sr¸Riverview
Coach of the Year- Jason Strunk, Plant City
Second Team Offense
Center- Angelo Ilano, Sr, East Bay
Guards- Anthony Quinones, Sr, Riverview; Mike York, Jr, Plant City
Tackles- Jamario Belton, Jr, Spoto; Klint Coy, Sr, Bloomingdale
Tight End/Utility- Travis Green, Sr, Brandon
Wideouts- Niko Anthony, Sr, Newsome; Cortez Hargrett, Sr, Plant City
Running Backs- John Hicks, Sr, Durant; Jamar Burns, Sr, Spoto; D.J. Richmond, Sr, East Bay
QB- Je’Twan Smith, Jr, Durant
Second Team Defense
Linemen- Shawn Boone, Sr, Newsome; Durrell Lowe, Sr, Plant City; Ben Aycrigg, Sr, Riverview; Shawn Council, Jr, Brandon
Linebackers- David Wright, Sr, Bloomingdale; D’Andre Franklin, So., Brandon; Danny Taylor, Jr, Spoto; David Sanders, So, Lennard
Defensive Backs- Dwayne Payne, Sr, Brandon; Sam Green, So., Plant City; Donald Smith, Jr, Spoto
Place Kicker- Connor Bass, Jr, Durant
Punter- Brandon Peterson, Sr, Lennard
Kick Returner- John Hicks, Sr, Durant
NATIONAL DIVISION
First Team Offense
Center- Ian Sarginson, Sr, TBT
Guards- Andre Gunn, Jr, Hillsborough; Chiole Marshall, Sr, King
Tackles- Jahari Moore, Sr, Freedom; Cody Waldrop, So, Armwood
Tight End/utility- C.J. Jackson, Sr, TBT
Wide Outs- Charles Lovett, Jr, Hillsborough; A.J. King, Jr, Armwood
Running Backs- Maurice Hagens, Sr, TBT; Rodney Johnson, Sr, Hillsborough; Matt Jones, So, Armwood
QB- Tarean Austin, Sr, Hillsborough
First Team Defense
Linemen,-Alton Bailey, Sr, Armwood; Theodore Jackson, Sr, Armwood; Raiz Gwyn, Sr, TBT; Eric Hammond, Sr, Wharton
Linebackers- Anthony Harrell, Jr, Freedom; Greg Hickman, Sr, TBT; Sam Jones, Sr, TBT; Jermaine McKinney, Jr, Armwood
Defensive Backs- Terrence Mitchell, Sr, Hillsborough; Jerome Speights, Sr, TBT; Quinton Brown, Jr, Armwood
PlaceKicker- Alex Landetta, Sr, Freedom
Punter- Darrell Deney, Jr, Armwood
Kick Returner- T.J. Mutcherson, Sr, Freedom
Coach of the Year- C.C. Culpepper
Second Team Offense
Center- Blake Nold, Sr, Wharton
Guards- Cortez Young, Sr, Middleton; Adam Arellano, Sr, Armwood
Tackles- Dalton Diehl, Sr, TBT; Deon Robinson, Sr, TBT
Tight End/Utility- Jordan Duval, Sr, Hillsborough
Wideouts- Justin Sanders, Sr, Middleton; Robbie Lohnes, Jr, Freedom
Running Backs- Shane McEwen, Sr, Wharton; Rayshied Melvin, Sr, Armwood; Cludner Lacount, So, TBT
QB- Josh Grady, Jr, Armwood
Second Team Defense
Linemen- Earl Moore, Sr, Hillsborough; Corey Turner, Sr, Freedom; Mark Grant, Sr, TBT; Demetree Taylor, Jr, Middleton
Linebackers- Eric Striker, So, Armwood; Tim Stewart, Jr, TBT; Carlos Wooten, Sr, King; Keith Lewis, Jr, Freedom
Defensive Backs- Malik Williams, Sr, Wharton; Derrick McCray, Jr, TBT; Wendell Lewis, Sr, Middleton
PlaceKicker- C.J. Lewis, Sr, King
Punter- Tyler Guy, Sr, Freedom
Kick Returner- Donnardo Fields, So, Strawberry Crest
LAND O’ LAKES – Hillsborough County United’s boys under-16 team couldn’t hold a two-goal halftime lead, and saw their hopes for a title take a serious hit as they fell 3-2 to Coastal WFC from Vancouver, Canada in their opening game of the United Soccer League’s Super-Y North American Finals at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center on Friday.
HCU had taken the lead into the break with a pair of goals four minutes apart by Nick Patterson. Patterson, who had earlier hit the crossbar, opened the scoring in the 36th minute as he beat his defender in a challenge on the left side of the penalty area after a through-ball by Jake Peterson, and shot home into the right corner of the net.
Peterson almost added a second a minute later, stealing possession from a defender, but his shot went over the cross bar. He made up for that miss right before halftime, though, firing home from the edge of the penalty area after losing his marker on another long through-ball from the HCU midfield.
Despite being up 2-0, HCU coach Eric Sims was not happy with the way his side was playing, giving away possession cheaply in midfield, failing to control possession in an effort to make Coastal work harder to chase the ball and win possession back. Coastal made HCU pay for that slackness early in the second half, as Coastal picked up the ball in midfield on a giveaway, and quickly went on the attack. Isaac Jacobson’s run from midfield beat the offside trap, and he finished well to make the score 2-1.
After Patterson had seen a tame free kick easily saved as he tried to restore HCU’s two-goal advantage, Coastal struck again in the 55th minute, Caleb Clarke starting and finishing a well-worked move to make the score 2-2.
HCU goalkeeper John Nardozzi did well to deny Coastal twice as it threatened to take the lead, saving from Clarke and Declan Rodriguez, but he was unable to deny Isaacson his second in the 78th minute as Isaacson knifed through the HCU defense to finish left-footed.
Isaacson said the high pressure his side applied in the second half was important to turning the game around.
“Throughout the season we’ve been a high-scoring team, and the more we press, the more we score,” Isaacson said. “We’re not a very selfish team, we like to create each other goals, and that’s how we scored all our goals today, not in 1-on-1 battles.”
Sims said he felt this was the most important game for HCU in the opening round, and acknowledged that his side would need a break or two to go his side’s way if they were to advance, but he expected his side to give their all in their remaining two pool play games.
“I told them at the beginning that I thought this was the game that we needed to win,” Sims said. ”If we wanted to win the tournament, we needed to win this game. I don’t really know much about the other teams, but I don’t imagine that they’re going to beat that team, but you never know, soccer’s a funny game, so we’ll come out tomorrow and try to put together a win.”
Jefferson’s offense has gotten some well-deserved attention this season, specifically the strong play of the passing game with quarterback Quentin Williams and receiver Andre Davis. The performance this season by the Dragons defense, however, has been just as big, even if it hasn’t gone as noticed outside of the Jefferson locker room.
“I think (the defense has) been flying under the radar. They deserve more accolades than they get. They’ve been playing great all year long, and it seems every week they get a little better,” Coach Mike Fenton said of the Dragons defense, which has held opponents to 15 or fewer points in eight of nine games this season. “They’re probably the biggest reason while we are able to put people away on offense because we’ve gotten a lot of three and outs and turnovers that give us good field position. Our defense has been fabulous.”
If the Dragons are going to make any kind of a playoff run – beginning with tonight’s regional quarterfinal matchup with Land O’ Lakes – the defense is going to have to continue its strong play and lead the charge.
“I did tell them that they’re going to have to play at that level all the way through, along with the offense, if we’re going to win a state championship,” Fenton said.
The Gators, one of Pasco County’s top squads, feature dual-threat quarterback Steven Weatherford, who is the main concern tonight for the Jefferson defense, which has gotten big seasons out of linebackers Fred Overstreet and Christian Calle, among others.
Fenton is hoping the Dragons’ defensive speed will be a big factor in trying to keep Weatherford in check.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that fly around the ball,” Fenton said. “They’re very active.”
The last time I saw him was Sunday at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. The last time I heard his voice was early Thursday morning when I listened to a voice mail from him the night before. He was checking in to see how I was doing in the new job and said he’d catch up with me later in the week. His voice sounded much stronger than on Sunday when I dropped off a book on national parks—he had been to nearly every one in the U.S.—and a couple of magazines.
As some of you may know, before I rejoined the Tampa Tribune recently, I spent the past three-plus years living in Tallahassee covering Florida State.
During that time, I got to know longtime Tallahassee Democrat FSU beat writer Steve Ellis pretty well. He was an acquired taste for me. We both viewed each other as suspicious competitors at first, but over time, we became friendly rivals. In the end, I simply considered him a friend and one of the hardest-working journalists I have ever met. It was nearly impossible to outwork Steve.
My wife and I made sure to stop by to visit Steve in the hospital on Sunday while I was back in Tallahassee for the weekend. He had suffered a severe heart attack on Nov. 10 and wasn’t bouncing back as quickly as the doctors hoped. Steve was 54 and had covered FSU sports since 1982, becoming somewhat of an institution around Tallahassee and the FSU campus.
Sadly, he died Thursday afternoon, just a few hours after I listened to that voice mail on my cell phone from 9:12 p.m. Wednesday. Click here for his obituary. His heart gave out after a procedure to help correct his illness on Thursday morning. Here is what FSU coach Bobby Bowden had to say about Steve after the Seminoles finished practice Thursday evening:
“He was kind of like a son to me, believe it or not, because when he first came here, he wrote for The Osceola,’’ Bowden said. “And I took a liking to him and used to give him a lot of tips, you know, for stories, so he’d get the story first. One of the best I’ve ever seen – I don’t know if I’ve ever seen them better – at finding out what’s happening before I find out. That guy – he was like a detective, you know it. And I hate to see it, I really do. I’m sad about it.”
Why am I writing about an FSU beat writer that most of you have probably never heard of in my USF blog? Basically, just to share a story that hit close to home and to inspire you to go get a physical if you haven’t recently.
In typical Steve fashion, as he drove to Clemson for the FSU-Clemson game a couple of weeks ago, he called somewhere near Macon and said he was in serious pain. He thought he had acid reflux disease and asked what medicine I took for mine. I told him what brand of medicine helps me and that he should at least stop and get some pain medicine. He did, and that was the last I thought about it until he called me last Wednesday afternoon as I was waiting on my flight in Tampa to head to New Jersey for the USF-Rutgers game.
He joked that I should stay out of the doctor business and stick to sports writing. I promised to do so after he told me he had suffered a major heart attack the night before and that his heart had taken a beating for the past week. In honor of Steve, I’m going to schedule a physical and get checked out in the next few days. I’d like for those of you out there to do the same if you haven’t recently.
And I promise—that’s the only time I’ll give medical advice on this blog.
The day certainly didn’t start the way USF men’s basketball coach Stan Heath wanted—an Internet report alleges USF has committed several NCAA violations in recent months—but it ended with a 65-58 victory over Davidson that improved USF’s record to 3-0.
It’s the first time since the 2006-07 season the Bulls have won their first three games to start a season. Gus Gilchrist, the player at the center of several of the alleged NCAA violations, hit 15 of 16 free throws Thursday night against Davidson in the Charleston (S.C.) Classic. Gilchrist finished with a team-high 21 points. Meanwhile, junior guard Dominique Jones scored 17 points and added 10 rebounds for this third career double-double.
In other USF sports news from Thursday:
* The men’s soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 2-1 comeback victory over Stetson. The Bulls scored the game-winner on a header by Bernardo Anor off a pass from Javed Mohammed. The Bulls advance to face No. 1-ranked and undefeated Akron (20-0-0) in the next round.
* USF volleyball players Marcela Gurgel, Alli Arbogast and Allie Boaz garnered All-Big East Conference honors on Thursday.
* Finally, USF forward Porche Grant will sit out the season due to personal reasons. Grant was the Bulls’ leading rebounder a year ago (7.7 per game), helping USF win the WNIT title.
Join us Friday for live updates from the state volleyball tournament in Lakeland. At noon, the Tampa Prep will face Tallahassee Maclay in the Class 2A state semifinals, followed by the 6A state semifinals between Plant and Miami Ferguson at 2 p.m. Finally, we will be live at the Class 4A state semis between Hudson and Jensen Beach at 8 p.m.
I will just dive right on in to this week’s blog because I know, My Fanatical Friends, you can’t blame that loss against the Dolphins on the Bucs QB, Coach, Defense or Offense. That’s because I took a pool to all the schools I had to attend this week for The Great American Teach-In, and trust me when I say this. I went to A LOT of schools.
I look forward to this time of the year and 99.9% of all the students I talked to said, the Bucs lost because of that yellow hankerchief. Yep that’s right… It was the Referee who caused us to lose Sunday.
But I must say, although we lost, this was a good loss, because the ref gave them 10 points before the half, and our Buccaneers came back and took the lead.
Get this… With a rookie Quarterback Josh Freeman and that says a lot for our Buccaneers’ future. I must start to get some new music together because our Buccaneers are coming around Tampa Bay. I mean our future looks soooo bright we really need shades!!!!
Now it time to play the undefeated Saints. This is a division game. Josh Freeman is undefeated at home, as a rookie, and nothing will change when the 9-0 New Orleans Saints come marching in to Raymond James this Sunday at 1:00 pm. We will show them that this is a BUCIFIED House. we won’t take no jive from the Black and Gold Sanctified New Orleans Saints. I am so ready for this game, because the last game the ref put a bad taste in my mouth with all those bad calls.
Against the fish, someone has to pay, so come on Saints, we have the recipe to ruin your perfect season. We beat you twice last year, you will be 9 and 1 after the game Sunday, So BRING IT!!!!!!!
My Prediction, Saints 14 Buccaneers 24.
Green Bay Fan and Bucified Before
We BEAT Them 11-08-09./ Photo from Albert Owens
Katherine Smith and Nick Williams each went 13-1 in the final week of the regular season. Adam Adkins went 12-2, while Bill Ward went 11-3.
Standings through the regular season: Adam Adkins (140-39), Bill Ward (139-40), Katherine Smith (138-41), Nick Williams (137-42).
Here are this week’s picks for the opening round of the playoffs:
CLASS 5A
Plant City (7-3) at Plant (8-1): All take Plant
Alonso (4-6) at Newsome (7-2): All take Alonso
East Lake (7-3) at Tampa Bay Tech (8-1): All take Tampa Bay Tech
Freedom (7-2) at Countryside (9-1): All take Countryside
CLASS 4A
Sickles (8-2) at Armwood (9-1): All take Armwood
Hillsborough (6-3) at Largo (8-2): All take Hillsborough
CLASS 3A
Land O’ Lakes (9-1) at Jefferson (8-1): All take Jefferson
CLASS 2A
Arcadia DeSoto County (6-4) at Robinson (8-2): All take Robinson
Jesuit (9-1) at Wauchula Hardee (8-1): All take Hardee
CLASS 2B
Fort Myers Dunbar (7-3) at Tampa Catholic (8-1): All take Tampa Catholic
CLASS 1A
Berkeley Prep (7-2) at Cross City Dixie County (9-1): Adam takes Berkeley Prep; Katherine, Nick and Bill take Dixie County
University of South Florida WR Carlton Mitchell (ankle) is probable for Saturday’s game against Louisville.
Mitchell missed last week’s game at Rutgers after suffering a high ankle sprain against West Virginia on Oct. 30.
“He’s going to dress for the game,” Leavitt said. “How much he plays depends on how well he feels. He’s getting close.”
Mitchell, who showed no signs of being limited as he sprinted off the practice field Thursday, leads USF with 29 receptions for 542 yards and four touchdowns.
LOOKING FOR ANSWERS: After starting the season 5-0, USF has lost three of its past four games. And although this is the third consecutive year the Bulls have stumbled after starting strong, no one seems to know why it happens or how to prevent it.
“I have no idea,” WR A.J. Love said. “If I had the answer, we probably wouldn’t have had that happen this year.”
Strong safety Jerrell Young believes the adversity has brought the team closer together.
“We’re all we got right now,” he said. “There’s a lot of doubters, but all we got to do is keep trying to dig and hope to pull through.”
TURNOVERS: The Bulls (6-3, 2-3 Big East) can become bowl eligible with a win against Louisville (4-6, 1-4). On paper, that shouldn’t be a problem as USF is an 11½-point favorite.
Turnovers, however, are the big equalizer. Through nine games, USF has committed 18 turnovers, but half (nine) have come in its three losses.
“You just can’t turn the football over,” offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. “That’s been the demise of us.”
USF has won only once since Oct. 3, but in that game (a 30-19 win against WVU), the Bulls were turnover-free.
LAKELAND Berkeley Prep defeated Melbourne Holy Trinity, 25-22, 25-20, 25-19, to win the Class 3A state championship on Thursday, the program’s first ever 3A title and 13th overall. Berkeley last won a state title in 2003.
Sophomore Jordan Burgess led the Buccaneers (29-3) with 12 kills and 12 digs. Sophomore Mackenzie Dagostino had 11 kills while senior midde hitter Lindsay Young had nine kills along with three blocks. Senior hitter Chelsea Parker had a match-high 18 digs while junior Natasha Rowland had 13.
By JIM LEE
Freshwater
Some areas are reporting great bass catches and catches of specks to 30 fish. The upcoming week is expected to get even better. Bass to 10.5 pounds reported.
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: River fishing has been great, even with the wind blowing, so fish the river for bass, bluegill and warmouth perch. Catfish are for the taking. Some specks and shellcracker have been caught in the Tampa Bypass Canal.
LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: High winds only mean better catches next week. This lake is known for good bass fishing with speckled perch to top off a day on the water. Don’t expect big speck numbers yet.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Bass fishing has been great. Bass in the 8-pound class and to 10.5 pounds were taken this week. Some anglers took up to 30 speckled perch.
LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Speckled perch are being caught from small schools. Bass catches were not reported, as not many anglers were on the lake. Night fishing is always the easiest way to catch more speckled perch.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE: J & S Fish Camp, (772) 597-4455: Fishing on the lake has been better. No really good catches were reported this week, and no really big bass were taken.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Lots of schooling bass are being caught, with some keepers thrown in. A few scattered specks were reported, with more expected with colder weather.
Saltwater
Windy weather prevailed this week, but it won’t last forever. Sheepshead are moving in and will keep many anglers busy. The sheepshead bonanza will start this month. Kingfish are here, but the weather has curtailed this activity and turbulent waters could keep the bulk of them far offshore. Mackerel like clear water to and will be back when the water clears and bait moves back in. Flounder, bluefish, redfish, jack crevalle and ladyfish are in our waters when the weather allows us on the water.
10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: If you can get to the backwaters in the windy weather you probably will do well on snook. Night fishing for snook in the backwaters is good with artificial lures.
SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: Snook alley in Venice is getting better. Snook are beginning to bite better. Mostly small shrimp flies or Grassett’s flies are taking the snook. Bluefish, redfish, jack crevalle and trout are the easy catches. Trout are getting bigger.
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Snook are biting better. Mangrove snapper, sheepshead and trout are being caught. Live bait rules, but trout and mackerel will take a lure or trolled baits.
WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Mangrove snapper, redfish, flounder, sheepshead and perhaps even mackerel will be available in the lower bay next week.
UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Snook are eating better. Redfish are the hot target at the creek mouths and up the creeks. Fish the moving tide for snook with live pinfish.
SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Snook, redfish and trout are the main targets inshore. Fish the mangroves with jigs and MirrOlures for snook. Big trout are beginning to move in.
FISHING PIERS: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for mangrove snapper, redfish, flounder, mackerel and even a stray grouper.
MID-PINELLAS PARTY BOATS: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard’s John’s Pass Marina and Kingfish dock, (727) 393-1947: Go offshore for a deep sea fishing extravaganza. Fish the deeper waters for grouper, mangrove snapper and gray snapper (grunt). You also might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches of amberjack and big mangrove snapper.
GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: The Gandy Bridge is closed to fishing. However, Gandy Bait and Tackle is the place to go in this area for live bait and tackle. Snook, black drum, redfish and mackerel are in the bay. Fish the Weedon Island area for trout and redfish. Ladyfish are everywhere. Live greenbacks will fool anybody.
CLEARWATER TO DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Catching was very good for snook this week. Greenbacks and shrimp will work. Big trout have moved in, running to 26 inches.
TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809 or (727) 808-6688: White bait is scarce, threadfins are abundant. Big trout are showing. Tons of big mackerel are on the flats out to 25 feet. Snook are mostly upriver.
HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Fishing in 8 to 10 feet at Bayport, limits of trout and mackerel are being taken. The 27-foot mark will produce lots of smaller grouper, and the 42-foot mark is where good numbers of keeper-sized red grouper will be found. The 42-foot area is also producing mangrove
snapper. Good keeper gags are in 50 feet.
KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Trout catching has been excellent. Trout and redfish were taken on live pins under Cajuns and MirrOlures No. 21. As always, a few people fish regardless of the wind and they usually do well. However, be careful if you venture out in the wind. Fish live pinfish under a Cajun Thunder for best results.
HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Grouper fishing is great. Red and gag grouper are from 25 feet to 42 feet. Keeper gags are a little deeper. Meanwhile, red grouper, cobia, mangrove snapper and mackerel are available.
FLY FISHING: Oversized redfish are being found and are perfect for a popper or spoon. Snook are biting and are moving from shoreline upriver haunts. Now the large winter trout are moving on to the flats and are perfect for the fly angler. A Clouser fly would be a good pick.
By MEL BERMAN
From all indications, this should be an ideal fall fishing weekend. With light winds and water temperatures in the low 70s, as my friend captain Scott Moore might say, “The fish will be very happy.”
This should be an excellent weekend to head offshore. Just don’t go too far. From what I’m hearing, there’s an excellent grouper bite in the rock piles close to shore. Also in nearshore waters are vast numbers of large Spanish and king mackerel. Just look for diving birds and troll your lure or live offering through the big bait schools.
At area fishing piers, hordes of Spanish mackerel and the occasional king have been keeping lines tight, especially on the incoming tide, at both Skyway piers as well as at Fort DeSoto’s Gulf Pier.
With warming surface temperatures, wadefishing should also be comfortable and productive on the many shorelines of Fort DeSoto. The same would also be true along most area causeways and big bridges.
Kayak guide Neil Taylor reports that “large bluefish have been part of the game on the flats. Blues of 22 to 24 inches have been caught a couple of days in a row. Redfish have been a little tougher than they should be. Rumor has it that they are eating live shrimp and refusing all other offers.”
Taylor added: “There are so many pinfish in our waters, there should be no need to use shrimp as bait for any reason.”
Just a few weeks remain before snook season closes for December and January. They have made their way to backcountry shallows. Working creeks, rivers and canals around Tampa Bay should provide some late-season snook action.
Hear “The Captain Mel Show” Saturdays from 6-9 a.m. on 970 AM. Also, visit “Fishing Florida OnLine Magazine” at http://www.capmel.com.
I’ve spent much of the day calling around seeking reaction to a report by FanHouse.com that alleges multiple NCAA violations by the USF men’s basketball program. The few boosters I have spoken with remain supportive of Coach Stan Heath.
Here is reaction from longtime Bulls Club board of director member Dave Goldstein:
“I think Stan is really doing a good job with the program,’’ Goldstein said. “He is the best guy for the job at this time. He is miles and miles ahead of the previous coach. I do believe he plays by the rules.
“I’m a big supporter of this program, and if they do something wrong, I’ll be the first to call them out on it. I just don’t think there’s a lot to this story.’’
USF’s administrators are currently meeting to determine whether to address the FanHouse.com report. If so, I’ll let you know what they say ASAP.
The Tampa Bay Tech Titans (8-1), who host the East Lake Eagles (7-3) in Friday night’s Class 5A state playoff first-round game, are delighted to be at home.
TBT coach C.C. Culpepper said the school stopped selling tickets last Friday, when the Titans defeated Hillsborough 46-28, because the stadium was at capacity.
“Our crowds have been awesome,’’ Culpepper said. “It has been a real home-field advantage. We’ve got the longest home winning streak in the county now, 11 straight games, and we want to keep riding that momentum.’‘
The Titan players are excited, too.
“It means a lot to play at home,’’ TBT senior fullback Maurice Hagens said. “There will be a lot of people here and we respond to that.’‘
“This is what you get when you win the district,’’ TBT junior quarterback Johnathan Williams said. “You get rewarded with a home game. We want to take advantage of that.’‘
Advertisement
