Grouper Rallying; Big Trout Head South

Vance Tice from Tightlines Tackle said he's expecting a big turnout for a grouper rally next Friday from 9 a.m. – noon outside the National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive North in St. Petersburg.

The rally, held by the Fishing Rights Alliance, is aimed at giving a recreational voice to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's decision to consider amending the gag grouper allocations between recreational and commercial fishermen.

“Just show up and we'll have people directing parking; we'll have a big stage with a 13-foot Jumbotron; it will be real professional,” Tice said. “We're trying to get political attention to it. The problem is, in Florida, the average citizen doesn't realize what's coming and what it's going to do to them, whether they fish or not.”

Tice said the economic implications of the decision, which he hopes could ease recreational regulations on gag grouper, are enormous.

For more information on the rally, visit http://www.thefra.org/fishingmatterstome.htm.

As far as what's biting in the area, Tice said there are small redfish in the upper part of Tampa Bay as well as trout in the 'A' cut.

“The bigger trout seem to disappear when the season opened (Jan. 1),” Tice said. “There are a lot more keepers in Dunedin or down in Fort DeSoto. For some reason, the big fish are staying away form the north end.”

Tice added there are a lot of redfish on Dana Shores and in the Baycrest canals.

“There's also a lot of silver trout by the first bridge going out over the Courtney [Campbell Causeway] on the north end,” he said. “The best bite is on an outgoing tide when the gate closes.”

Tice said he heard there are silver trout in a deep hole where the current used to rip through where the old bridge stood.