Go Fish for 2/19/12 by Capt. Bill Miller

Capt. Billy Miller guided Ron Vaughn and his guests from Illinois on a banner half day fishing trip this week. The day started off of Passa Grille catching loads of hog snapper, sheepshead, catch and release grouper, triggerfish, white grunts and porgy’s. Live shrimp on a knocker rig helped them fill the box.

  The next move was closer to shore when a rain squall approached. Trolling #0 spoons behind a light lead produced a bag limit of Spanish mackerel. Leaving there, a stop on the flats produced trout to 25 inches to finish out a spectacular morning of fishing.

   This kind of variety fishing is available now. Spring is in the air and lots of fish are coming out to play. In addition to the above species redfish, flounder and pompano are being caught. Targeting and catching multiple species on the same trip is very possible now.

   Big trout have been the catch for Capt. Kevin Walton. Fishing Ft. Desoto Walton has been catching trout to 28 inches on every trip. White bait caught at the Skyway has been doing the trick.

   Sheepsheads are along the docks in John’s Pass and biting well reports Captain Chris Wiggins. Live fiddler crabs and barnacles are the best bait, but live shrimp have also been producing.

   Offshore amberjack fishing is going well around wrecks and springs. A chum line will bring the AJ’s to the top along with snapper, tuna and more.