Ft. Desoto Park 10/31-11/2 Gathering Dates

[eggsuckindog]

Hey Dixon,
Lets get the low down on fishing T.B.
1 are there any scallop beds? mmmm scallops.
2 if so, can we snorkel for them? yes a stamp is required.
3 snapper and grouper inside?
4 offshore options?
5 do you know of some good snook docks for a night time drift assault?
6 any keepers coming out of the mangroves or just shorts?
7 any local "top secret" fishing chart downloads?
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Made a paper mache Bullwinkle head one year and met Janet fishing Doc`s dock 16 years ago.
Sandy

1-2 = No
3 - yes, very much so, all the rocks piles around the skyway and their is an Arti reef that doesn't seem to get too much pressure just inside of Egmont on the south side-marked - some giant snapper have come from around the skyway some 3/4 pounders
4 - Kings and Mac's are everywhere just offshore just look for birds, grouper ledges begin approx 55 ft so you could do both _ Cobia are making a huge showing in the area this year. Their are couple big arti reefs approx 15 mi. that should hold tons of bait. South County Reef - those are published -http://www.sptimes.com/2003/03/07/reefs/page1.shtml
http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilit...-locations.htm

5 Tierra Verde has tons of docks although I don't fish that far south often - just find ones with a light and good current - I usually fish for Reds when I'm down there
6 big ones are around but usually caught on the docks at night but there were still big ones on the beach at anclote a couple weeks ago, which surprised me - but tons of bait was there
7 no charts - google earth helps- check out what is called the Clam Bar - makes a big sweep inside the skyway near the most northern little bridge - has been holding overslot reds and some snook in the potholes at low tide
I have Frank Sargents book on fishing Tampa Bay I will bring - very detailed spots with tide hints and charts

found this which should help
http://demo.geogarage.com/noaa/

Wind will be the biggest factor on what you can do - example NE wind will kill the Clam Bar as it would come all the way down the bay also the skyway itself but the beach would be fine. I do want target some snapper myself, that arti out by egmont with some chum should be real good

Bait is everywhere, I have a flat next the ramp right near the campground that is good and a range marker near the beach on the outside of Ft Desoto is usually stocked up - bring Jack mackeral and sabiki's