Many anglers are on the hunt for the ever elusive slot snook. They are around and in pretty decent numbers; problem is as many of you know is getting one to eat. They don’t make it too long being stupid, or making poor eating decisions. Large baits are a plus for tempting the sly adversaries. Snook are ambush predators so look around points with deep water, deep water mangrove shore lines, docks and seawalls and guide your bait into position. Current flow is a must; the moving water sweeps the baits past the strike zone, where the prestigious ones lay in wait.
Redfish have also been cooperating all over Tampa Bay. Mullet schools are mixed in with redfish schools. The old adage,” find the mullet find the fish” applies here, sending out live pilchards into the schools of mullet should result in a score! Cut baits like ladyfish and pinfish soaked under a mangrove overhang on a steadily moving tide is a great way to relax between battles. The fish have been on the large side, most over the 27 inch side of the slot. They have also been chewing well on drifted pinfish, the ones that are about the size of small handful.
Large trout are also making their presence known. These guys make a charter fun, lots of fish in the slot but the once occasional 20 inch plus fish is becoming more common as we drift into fall.