Bartow Weather Forecast
Fishing reports straight from our guides in Bartow
The weather's been great lots of sharks lots of trout snapper
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January fishing in Tampa Bay
Fishing between cold fronts has really been excellent
As the front approach, the in shore bite goes from normal to red hot there's been a solid red fish bite, especially on the afternoon high tides
And when the north wind. Pushes the morning, low tides, even lower than they are forecasted to be set up for some excellent site fishing as it comes back in good numbers on cobia this year and. The numbers of coastal sharks and bull sharks are strong as usual
The big temp drop we're having this week will trigger a...
Fishing between cold fronts has really been excellent
As the front approach, the in shore bite goes from normal to red hot there's been a solid red fish bite, especially on the afternoon high tides
And when the north wind. Pushes the morning, low tides, even lower than they are forecasted to be set up for some excellent site fishing as it comes back in good numbers on cobia this year and. The numbers of coastal sharks and bull sharks are strong as usual
The big temp drop we're having this week will trigger a...
Fishing between cold fronts has really been excellent
As the front approach, the in shore bite goes from normal to red hot there's been a solid red fish bite, especially on the afternoon high tides
And when the north wind. Pushes the morning, low tides, even lower than they are forecasted to be set up for some excellent site fishing as it comes back in good numbers on cobia this year and. The numbers of coastal sharks and bull sharks are strong as usual
The big temp drop we're having this week will trigger a Sheepshead spawn that should last through the month of February and as the moon's approach the mangrove snapper will be a welcome addition to the Sheepshead bite
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Shark bite is pretty good
Inshore shark evening trips
Inshore shark evening trips
Inshore shark evening trips
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With water temps cooler fish are showing up in groves. Water is clear and plentiful of fish with a guarantee of smiles.
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Bowfishing action is slow but still rewarding during the cold weather months in Tampa. My customers are rewarded with some nice fish like big Sheepshead, Mullet and Gar
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With the arrival of these colder weather and water temperatures dropping into our mid-60s. Sheepshead and mullet are our go to fish this time of year on the Shallow Flats around oyster beds and Mangrove lines, sand pockets. Also look for rock piles or structure in clean clear deeper water where these Sheepshead are hanging out with Mangrove Snapper. Bridge piling are also holding the big boys.
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Shrimp For The Win!
I always say, “Fish are Fickle.” That’s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic.
After a cold front, even when I take the time to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients, the fish barely respond to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day.
At times like these, turning shrimp can...
I always say, “Fish are Fickle.” That’s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic.
After a cold front, even when I take the time to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients, the fish barely respond to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day.
At times like these, turning shrimp can...
I always say, “Fish are Fickle.” That’s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic.
After a cold front, even when I take the time to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients, the fish barely respond to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day.
At times like these, turning shrimp can make all the difference in the world. These hardy baits are appealing to game fish even when bait fish become scarce, dramatically increasing your chances of a successful catch.
Shrimp are known as the “Sara Lee” of baits. “Nobody doesn’t like a Sara Lee.” Snook, redfish, seatrout, sheepshead, and more love them. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Not to sound like “Bubba” from the movie Forrest Gump, but you can catch fish with live shrimp, dead shrimp, frozen shrimp, or pieces of shrimp. “That’s, that’s about it!”
Additionally, crustaceans like shrimp are not only versatile but also resilient in colder water conditions, which makes them a reliable choice when other baits fail. Their natural scent and movement attract a wide variety of species, ensuring that anglers have a dependable option throughout fluctuating water temperatures.
If you like to fish with artificials or flies, shrimp imitations are the perfect cold-weather bait.
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With Tampa Bay water temperatures dropping in the mid 60s the Sheepshead & Mullet action has been the go-to species as these fish congregate around oyster beds, Mangrove lines and any type of structure that produces food for them.
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Sheepshead and Mullet are hot right now on our Tampa bay shallow flats. We still have a few huge rays hanging out but no for long as our water temps are dropping
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