Trolling Tampa Bay

[exudedude]

Left my dock at 8am, the weatherman had no mention of fog, so it was a long slow drive to the ship channels.

Got to my 1st super secret spot to find a boat parked right on it . So I dumped the Mann 25's over and headed for some other spots in the area.
Most of my productive areas had been 14'-18' but not today so I swapped out to the stretch 30's and bam the bite was on, plenty of hits but no keepers.

I head out to another area that is fairly well know to find it to has a few boats on it so I spent the rest of the day charting new areas and did well.
Once again plenty of hits, but no keepers, I lost count after 16, all of the shorts were 19-21". The hot color of the day was red/white with black/gold running a close 2nd. All the bites were in 18'-25' of water.

I belive if I had gone to a jig/grub combo on a planer I might have done a little better, but that is sorta hard to do when you are by yourself.

[longboat]

Nice morning's fishing!

If you're not trolling the channel, do you just pick some general areas with rock/hard bottom?

[Fins0003]

That's sweet! I want to troll for grouper one day, seems like it's be alot of fun.

[proline251]

I was thinking of doing the same thing but i have never trolled for grouper before. Care to share some techniques?

[Feeding Frenzy]

Proline,

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[exudedude]

Nice morning's fishing!

If you're not trolling the channel, do you just pick some general areas with rock/hard bottom?

The best thing you can do is get a good chart of the bay and check the spoil pile areas pick you a spot and work out from there. Unlike what the chart shows there are alot more hump and crevices. Don't be discouraged if you aren't marking fish, alot of them are down in the holes. I have one spot located in 25' with a hump that comes all the way up to 8' almost vertical.

[exudedude]

I was thinking of doing the same thing but i have never trolled for grouper before. Care to share some techniques?

Typically I use Mann stretch 25's and 30's The colors that work for me are Red/White, Black/Gold and Blue/Chrome. Sometimes firetiger will produce if the water is cloudy. I try and stay away from jointed plugs as they tend to create alot of problems with catching more debris and grass. You know your plug is running true if the rodtip is pulsing, if it is not check your line for debris.

I typically use 30-50lb mono with a 6' piece of 80lb leader. Alot of folks use 65lb braid instead. It will get your lures a little bit deeper, but it's very unforgiving when you get a snag. I can't tell you how many lures I have found floating out there with braid tied to them. I probably have 6 in my box right now.

When I set the lures I do one at a 25 count and one at a 40 count, mix up your lure color and count, the fish will tell you what they want.

I'll start out with the 25's and work the areas that are 18'-20' deep with the spoilpiles that rise to 12'. I like to dig the bottom, I get alot of hits that way. If no one is home I'll drop to the 20'-25' with the 30's.

I also use a 3 or 4 oz Spro jig with a curly tail grub. For me the only color to use is white or white with chartreuse. With the white/chartreuse jig use a white grub or chartreuse. White jig you can use a pink, white or chartreuse trailer. I'll run these off of a # 1 0r 2 planer with a 20' piece of 80lb mono tag.

If the fish are not interested in the hardplugs I'll use these in the 20'-25' of water or drop down in the channel. Alot of folks will zig-zag the channel itself. I dont, I lose alot more gear to snags that way. I will run the edges of the channel and maybe drop down deeper in it. I let the fish dictate to me.
Just remember in the channel there is alot of erosion on the sides from the ships prop wash. That is why you see alot more bait holding to the sides than the bottom.

Some people like to use downriggers, I use to and will again I just don't have the spare cash right now. The old man that taught me all of this is no longer with us.. but we had downrigging to a science. He would drive and read out the fishfinders readings and I would be adjusting the downrigger as needed. It was a great system.

Just remember to hit yor spots with/ against the current and the same with the wind, just watch your speed. I keep it right between 4-5 mph. Again the fish will tell you what they want.

When I get a fish I leave the boat in gear and just back down to an idle, it will keep the tangles from happening. Who ever is driving tell them keep there finger close to the "mark" button on the gps come back and hit that spot again.

Unless you have a auto pilot I would not reccommend going out alone, alot can go bad quick. Your going along you get a double, try to steer and keep an eye out for the ships,you get the idea and if you are alone do your family a favor and wear your lifevest.

Hope this helps some of you guys and if some else has a tip or 2 post it.

Good luck!!

[longboat]

Thanks, I've marked a bunch of spoil piles within 5 miles of my house. I'll give those areas a try.

[mackeralsnatcher]

The mirrolure111MR and Bomber CD25 are what have worked for me, as well as the Manns 25 and 30's.
as for the curly tail jigs, I've had luck over the Skyway rubble with the(6") pearl tails and the Chartrouse flaked on a white head.

[exudedude]

The mirrolure111MR and Bomber CD25 are what have worked for me, as well as the Manns 25 and 30's.
as for the curly tail jigs, I've had luck over the Skyway rubble with the(6") pearl tails and the Chartrouse flaked on a white head.

Sorry I did not mean to exclude any brands.. I just get a good deal from Mann's 25's at 6 bucks 30's at 9 bucks

Whatever lure you buy make sure it is the rounded diving bill. I bought a certain brand with square bills that quoted going 25' they were lucky to get 12'. The wobble was sweet and tight... maybe if I tied them to a #1 planer...hmm.

I really been wanting to try that large swimming minnow Sebile is making, but they are 35 bucks a piece My wife would skin my azz if I lost a 35 dollar plug to a snag or toothy critter