Hey Cap Mel ,

Me and my dad plan to take a day fishing and I don’t know what is really active right now and what would be a good night to go snook fishing? Just email me back.

-Sarah Parker
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Dear Sarah:

Right about now, with an approaching full moon period, would be an excellent time to fish for snook at night.

One of the best and most productive locations to fish for them would be lighted docks in residential canals. The lights draw bait and the snook feed on the bait all night.

Thanks for for making our CapMel.com site one of your Internet fishing destinations.

Capt. Mel Berman

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Hey how’s it going? I’m new to saltwater fishing and the Tampa Bay Area and grew fond of sheepshead but haven’t had a bite in weeks. Wondered if you had some advise as of when to fish for these guys

Montie Whitmore
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Dear Montie:

As with many species, the sheepshead are much less active with the currently high water temperatures. And in winter, they really become active. So your best bet would be to switch to more warm weather compatible species like snook, redfish, tarpon cobia, trout, etc. until the weather cools down in late fall at which time you can go after the sheepies.

Capt. Mel Berman

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Capt. Mel,

I set my pinfish trap near Pinellas Point Saturday about noon (2nd time out with it since purchasing a few weeks ago). I returned at 6AM Sunday morning to retrieve the trap and the bait. In less than 18 hours, my pinfish trap was stolen.

I tried to post on the forum, but I was not able to post to get feedback on this subject.

Hence, my email to you.

I have to say, that to start your trip off with my son and father in tow and find that the fish trap I set the day before was stolen was quite disappointing. I thought there was an unwritten respect about tampering with traps.

Can you give me your feedback on the subject. I have been fishing a lot of years, but just started using the bait fish trap to save time getting bait. I was thrilled with it on our first outing and was happy to have found a new tool to use. Now I will need to reset and buy a whole new set up and try to find a place to soak it where it won't get stolen.

Thank you Capt. Mel.

James Perkins

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Dear James:

Of course it's disappointing to go to all the trouble buying and setting up a fish trap -- only to have it stolen.

I would suggest that you sign up for our forums (it's free) and start a new topic (thread) getting reaction from our forum members.

After signing up, just go to one of our forums (Angler's Forum would be appropriate) and click the "New Topic" link near the top -- place your comments in the box -- Click "Post Message" -- and see what kind of responses you receive.

Thanks for listening to my 970-WFLA radio show and making our capmel.com site one of your web destinations

Capt. Mel Berman

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Captain Mel,

As a lifelong native resident of fifty-seven years, I have many wonderful memories and photos of family fishing events from the Keys to Cedar Key. You know the thrill of pulling the line until the slack runs out, and then something on the other end says NO. We mostly fish saltwater, but we fish freshwater too from time to time. I was wondering what can we do collectively to regain public access to Parrish Lake. My last understanding was that Florida Power holds the cards. The State collects lots of fishing tax revenue through many ways, and it seems they should intervene in the interest of the public. Is there a campaign actively trying to get this wonderful fishing location accessible once again? What can we do?

Mike McFail
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Dear Mike:

I would definitely contact your local county parks department -- as well as your county commissioners. They are the ones that could possibly help. Unfortunately, in these tough economic times, it likely will be difficult as these park and lake closures are commonplace throughout Florida to save money for the state.

Thanks for making our CapMel.com site one of your Internet fishing destinations.

Capt. Mel Berman

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