Burr Hiss it has been cold this week and blowin’. Before the cold front hit us the grouper and snapper fishing were on absolute fire in close only 30-40 feet of water. The mangrove snapper were going off as well up to 6 pounds. A good friend of ours Captain Larry McGuire has a saying that the first bird after the front gets the worm. What that means is after these strong cold fronts the grouper get real tight to structure and congregate there and if your one of the first ones there hold on to your hat, it’s gonna be crazy. Start these fish on dead bait then switch to the live and get ready. If you do head off shore be sure to carry an EPIRB or personal locator. The least you should do is leave a float plan. Don’t be dumb and ruin your family’s Christmas. The inshore bite is trout, trout, and more trout. Both here on tampa bay and Saint Joseph’s sound reports of large trout being caught. Captain Greg DeVault called our radio show and told of a 29” trout that one of his clients caught. With Christmas approaching just look for the bite to get stronger between fronts. Baits for the trout are live shrimp, always a winner, Berkley Gulp, DOA CAL (I like the shad tail for the vibration) and the Mirro Lure MirroDine. Once you have located where the school it’s non stop action. Trout are a delicate fish, so please use a dehooker, and don’t handle them as the need the slime coating that protects them. Also trout season is closed in the Southern Zone (south of the Anclote River) until January however silver trout are open and are around as well. Be sure to tune in on Saturday mornings at 6:30 on News Channel 8 WFLA for The Reel Animals Fishing Show and listen to Captain Mike on 970 AM WFLA from 6-9 am on Reel Animals Saturday. Call in on Sunday’s to WDAE 620 AM The Sports Animal for the T.A. Mahoney Reel Animals Fishing Show to win some cool fish gear from 7-9 am. Also visit our website @ www.reelanimalsfishingteam.com and friend us on facebook or call 1-866-GAMEFISH to book your fishing trip of a lifetime and until next week, “Do yourself a favor and take a kid fishin’."
