Go Ask: Frank's Tacklebox

Small King Conchs

Hello Frank, I read your column Sunday and do agree with you. The bay is looking better these days. I have, though, noticed a few things. The absence of kings crown conchs. I used to see them everywhere and they were big. Now I rarely see them, and when I do…

Fishing In The Everglades

Dear Mr. Sargeant: First, I would like to thank you for your efforts through the years to educate and inform the public about hunting, fishing, and conservation issues. I have enjoyed your columns for many years now and I still look forward to them each Sunday.

I…

Mullet Shortage

Q: I strongly disagree that mullet have made a comeback to previous levels. That is before commercial netting, just for the roe. The fish would be discarded after removal of the roe and the roe shipped to Asian countries. I was not for the gill net ban, only against the roe…

Tilapia Vs. Nile Perch

Hi Frank: Enjoyed your article on tilapia. Set me straight, I recall about 30 or 35 years ago these fish were introduced into Lake Parker in Lakeland. The purpose at that time was to attempt to control elodea and other water weeds. These fish were called ‘’Chinese Carp.’’ Do you know…

Trolling Some Area Lakes

Mr. Sargeant: First let me thank you for help in the past. I started fishing Hicks Park after reading an article you wrote about it. It is truly a great park. My 6-year-old son caught his first bass on an artificial worm there. Later you helped out when the lake became…

Google Earth

Dear Mr. Sergeant, With all great respect for your fishing advice, I read with great interest today’s article on USGS Surveys and went to the site. Have you ever tried Google Earth to view waterways? It’s a pretty good tool to zoom in especially when you’re looking for grass flats etc.…

Juvenile Tarpon

Frank: Can you tell me the best time of the year to fish for juvenile tarpon up in the Manatee River? Thanks. Al
A: It’s mostly a summer thing, though I think the fish are there year around. They seem to move farther upriver in periods of low rain,…

Snook Moving Out

Frank, I’ve been fishing the gulf beaches (Anna Maria and Longboat) quite a bit this summer. In June/July, I saw many snook wading in the surf and throwing a little white flat tailed jig. Caught 10-15 each weekend. In August, I’ve barely seen any schools (2-5 fish) cruising along the beach.…

Beware Of Coyotes

Dear Frank,
I live near Collier and Hwy 54 in Land O’ Lakes. I work nights, so driving home at night I have seen the usual type things like raccoons, possums and deer. I have even seen a gator in the middle of Willowbend Parkway. Twice, in the last…

Jet-Ski Rental Safety

Frank: In and around Tampa Bay, Anna Maria Island, etc., rental Jet Skis do more damage than most other boating. They pay no attention to signs, bouys, and no-wake zones. Sea grass, mangroves and dolphins are not safe. The state and county need to address this rental to save our shoreline.…