I used to like fishing because I thought it had some greater significance to the meaning of life. Now I like fishing because it's probably the one thing that doesn't. Fishing is not difficult and too often we make it more than it really is, especially where children are concerned. Many folks would like to start fishing or introduce their children to it, but everything they see or hear portrays it as expensive and technically challenging.

Granted there are advanced techniques that enable us to catch more fish. But let me tell you that fishing doesn't need to be difficult, and it sure doesn't need to be expensive, as evidenced recently by a friend named Jeff Kolodzinski who works as the VP of Marketing for Frabill in Wisconsin. Frabill makes top-of-the-line bait storage systems and landing nets available anywhere.

In late July, Jeff broke his long-standing world record for catching the most fish in a twenty-four hour period. He was targeting pan fish and, of course, he would be using a Frabill aerated minnow container in his fishing venture. To keep it simple Jeff used a ten-foot pole,much like the bamboo ones many of us started fishing with as children. Attached to the end was about ten feet of fishing line, a small hook, a float, and a splitshot sinker. He didn't have a reel or special line or baits. Fishing from a dock on Minnesota's Lake Minnetonka near the Twin Cities, Jeff caught 2,160 fish, breaking his own record. He estimated he had about thirty dollars invested in his rod, line, and tackle. However, he did have a lot of minnows because, as you can imagine, it takes a lot of bait to catch 2,160 fish.

Fishing can be as simple or difficult as you make it; so don't let anyone tell you that you've got to spend a fortune on equipment to go fishing. You can start out with pretty basic stuff, and catch plenty of fish. After you discover the joy and relaxation of fishing, it's up to you how much you spend on equipment.

I’ve been fishing my entire life and believe me I've got a lot of fishing gear, and much of it high tech. Even with the latest and greatest, I know I can still catch fish with only basic gear and often enjoy using a cane pole, like Jeff.

However, I enjoy using the high tech rod and reel and in my simple mind, I like to think it gives me an advantage in catching fish. Occasionally, when my confidence level soars to a feeling of superiority over this angling adversary; they quickly settle me back into reality by refusing to bite. Nevertheless, I’ve never gone fishing that I did not return happy, relaxed, and ready to go again.

What’s Biting in Tampa Bay?

Snook: Expect good early morning flats action and later in day you will find plenty of fish lounging in the shadow lines around docks and mangroves. Greenbacks, threadfins, shrimp and pinfish are baits of choice. Or you might try tossing some artificials around… they do catch fish.

Redfish: They should start congregating around the flats as the action picks up this month. Good grass flats with sandy potholes and large schools of mullet are great starting points. The TampaBay area holds miles of mangrove lined shores and at high tide redfish love getting back under the root system. There is always a multitude of food available including crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. The same baits that catch snook catch redfish or for some early morning excitement try a walking-the-dog technique with a MirrOlure Top Dog Jr.

Spotted Sea Trout: Fishing always improves as the water temperatures cool. Strong moving water and deep water grass flats can usually produce a decent bite. Trout love small pinfish, shrimp, and greenbacks free-lined or under a popping.

Tarpon: Some Tarpon are still around and bridge light lines especially at night. We should see some smaller thirty pounders showing up in channels and rivers. They usually always take threadfins, greenbacks and crabs.

Spanish Mackerel & Bluefish: Tampa Bay is still producing excellent mackerel bites; that should continue this month, especially south of the Gandy Bridge. Look for diving birds, put out a chum bag, and hold on.

Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing. Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years, he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the area's most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done. Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.