Tampa Mariner

I was fishing the Skyway Bridge in Tampa this week with live threadfins. We were getting about the same results as the other boats anchored up with the exception of one boat about 40 yards from us. They were hooking up about 8 to our 1 tarpon. They seemed to be using a much smaller live bait and chuming with this bait as well. This stuff was like taron crack. Any idea what they may have been using?????

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Tampa, FL
Robalo R227, F225

Prop Blast

Yes, crabs.

On the ebb tides around the new and full moons, crabs are flushed out of Tampa Bay. The tarpon line up on the "crab highways" and pick them off like candy. If you're fishing with something else, i.e. threadfins, you're not going to do as well.

Hook the crabs using a 3/0 or no larger than 4/0 hook (matched to the size of the bait. Drift the crabs back in the current as you drift. If the crab "drags" you won't get bit -- just doesn't look natural.

Along the beaches, use pinfish, blue crabs and threadfins.

Along the bridges and passes, you can use the above -- but crabs first, followed by shrimp if the tide is running out (strong ebb tide).

PB

Tampa Mariner

Thanks PB but these were smaller fish. Any thoughts?

__________________
Tampa, FL
Robalo R227, F225

Prop Blast

Small Pilchards, aka Scaled Sardines?

PB

Tampa Mariner

That's probably it - wish I would have had them in the live well that day - thanks

__________________
Tampa, FL
Robalo R227, F225