Capt. Mel:

Last week we were in the bay just entertaining guests on a 36ft. Luhrs. We spotted a large (1/2 acre) school of fish we could not identify. I have lived in Tampa and on the water my whole life and I have never seen this species of fish. They were about 7-10lbs and golden yellow tails, shaped like a red but no spots. We trolled over them three times and they didn't dive or run, they just lumbered in the water with their tails coming out of the water. There were thousands in the school; it looked like a cloud in the water. I've looked in every species chart I could find and I'm stumped.


Terry Collier
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Dear Terry:

Although I can't be certain, it sound to me like you encountered a school of black drum during the annual spring migration. As you may or may not know, the black drum has yellow tails and is a close cousin to the redfish. However, without photos, it would be difficult for me to nail down the identification of those fish from simply your description.

Mel

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Dear Capt. Mel:

While fishing the Clearwater artificial reefs, I caught an eel using cut squid. The eel was very aggressive as I was releasing it so I didn't have an opportunity to accurately measure it. It appeared to be 24 to 26 inches in length. The color of the eel was nearly white with a dark stripe down each side. Are these eels good table fare or just fun to catch?

Thank you for your web site....it's fantastic!

Tom Lafferty
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Dear Tom:

As an offshore skipper seem years back, I would catch many an eel during our bottom fishing trips. They would wrap themselves around the leader, and in every instance, I would get it off and back into the water. However, eels are considered excellent table fare in many parts of the world and I image that it you wanted to mess with that live eel, you could make him dinner. (see http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=eel)

Eels also are consider excellent bait for species like cobia. But again, my own inclination would be to release those slithery critters. 

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Could you please tell me how is the best way to put a shrimp on a hook to keep them alive and ensure a better bite and catch.  I have been told many different ways since I was a kid but I would like your advice. 

Thanks,

JC Stewart
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Dear JC:

The vast majority of anglers hook shrimp in the “horn” atop the head. This way it will swim and look natural to the fish. Be careful not to put the hook too far back on the horn and into that dark spot – which is the shrimp’s brain.

Others will occasionally tail-hook shrimp, especially if they are fishing somewhat deeper water with a weighted rig.

Mel 

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Captain,

I am an avid bass fisherman.  My favorite worm is the 7 1/2 inch tequila shad by Culprit rigged Carolina style with a 1/8 oz. wt. It catches the heck out of the bass.

The problem is I can't catch a redfish to save my life.  I fish from a Kayak in the Emerson Point/Terra Ceia area.  I like fishing with artificials, due to limited space on the Kayak I need a good all round lure that will catch redfish.

Thank you


Mike Stinson
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