Just moved here from Louisville, KY... (advice)

[steve0502]

hey fellas.

i am not here looking to take over anyone honey hole, but i have never fished in the tampa bay area. all of my experience has been in the back country in the fl keys.. could anyone offer any insight that could help a guy from KY catch some fish? i recently bought a 20' 1983 Sea Ox and I should be getting it in the water this weekend. I am mostly looking to scoop up some snappers, groupers, etc... i love to fish, so any advice would be much appreciated..thanks..fyi I am not against going out of the bay.. just wanted to know if there are any areas i should be aware of.

any input would be much appreciated.


thanks,
steve

[id-10-t]

troll the channel ledges in tampa bay. lot of nice grouper to be had. Manns stretch 20's,25's 30's. also larger soft plastics with a planner to get you down there.

[onthemarkcharters]

Grouper trolling as the person wrote is good advise. Local fishing clubs and tackle stores will be happy to help.

Good luck

[SnookMook]

Remember grouper go out of season Sunday at midnight until April 1st.

[steve0502]

thanks very much.

when you say channel ledges, do you mean where the channel begins to run deeper into the bay?

thanks for the heads up on the grouper. i did not know that.

[id-10-t]

Channel ledges right down the side of the Channel were the drop off is. I have been doing it for years but have never done it in tampa bay. I saw a fishing show from tampa bay trolling for groupers .I think It was reel anamals. They were useing planners and what looked like calcuta flash foil blue large swim baits. On the east coast we use hard bait's instead of soft

[exudedude]

Do yourself a favor and get a good chart of the bay... that will go a long way in helpiing out your questions as far as structure is concerned.

[Jack Hexter]

Stop by Tightlines Tackle in Tampa and talk to Vance. He's the guru of fishing the ship channel. But like Mook pointed out, grouper is closed till April 1. Thanks Roy

[exudedude]

Stop by Tightlines Tackle in Tampa and talk to Vance. He's the guru of fishing the ship channel. But like Mook pointed out, grouper is closed till April 1. Thanks Roy

Yeah Vance is a great guy, he might even give you a few spots. Just be careful he'll try and sell you a downrigger.

I used to fully endorse Mann's Stretch 25's for this. I got 12 for xmas my wife got them at Walmart, out of the 12, 7 don't run true and they can't be tuned.
It seems more are coming out of the package that way.

I think I'm gonna start using the new Bomber series.

[steve0502]

definitely noted.

thanks very much..

any place you guys recommend for marine servicing/parts? i am in ne st. pete.

i have also heard that anywhere in the channel of the bay where there is some depth down to the skyway bridge is supposed to be a good start for trying to find some fish.. do you guys chum very often?

any certain areas that guys go that is a little bit futher out into the gulf?