Well, two weeks ago, the water tem dropped 12 degrees in a day and a half due to a strong cold front that came over the state of Florida and shut down our inshore fishing bite one thing we deal with is acclamation, whether the water drop or rises, can shut the fish down for a few days so our focus is fishing around the hot water discharge at local power plants this actually opens up fishing opportunities for us what we only get when the temps plummet sharks, Pompano, Permit, and cobia are just part of the fish that...
Well, two weeks ago, the water tem dropped 12 degrees in a day and a half due to a strong cold front that came over the state of Florida and shut down our inshore fishing bite one thing we deal with is acclamation, whether the water drop or rises, can shut the fish down for a few days so our focus is fishing around the hot water discharge at local power plants this actually opens up fishing opportunities for us what we only get when the temps plummet sharks, Pompano, Permit, and cobia are just part of the fish that take advantage of the warmer water, along with tarpon, manatees and rays.
After the record Christmas cold front the water here dropped over 10 degrees in a couple of days. But, the Red Tide dissipated and left cleaner water. The local reefs(and hard bottom areas withing a couple miles) have been best. Lots of Key West Grunts, along with a steady sheepshead bite and occasional Redfish, Flounder and other stuff. The Sheepshead bite should only get better and the Flounder normally start going off as well. Should be a decent start to 2023 in terms of nearshore fishing over here out of Madeira Beach.
After the record Christmas cold front the water here dropped over 10 degrees in a couple of days. But, the Red Tide dissipated and left cleaner water. The local reefs(and hard bottom areas withing a couple miles) have been best. Lots of Key West Grunts, along with a steady sheepshead bite and occasional Redfish, Flounder and other stuff. The Sheepshead bite should only get better and the Flounder normally start going off as well. Should be a decent start to 2023 in terms of nearshore fishing over here out of Madeira Beach.
December fishing in Tampa Bay presents plenty of opportunities for catching fish. As the water cools and then warms back up again between cold fronts, it can make the fish fairly predictable in their movements.
With a consistently cooler water temperature algae dies and the water clears, making this is one of our favorite times of year to fish as it makes for some great site fishing opportunities, as the fish will get into the shallows to soak up some of that Florida sunshine. On the lower stages of the tide, redfish and trout have been hanging out in the...
December fishing in Tampa Bay presents plenty of opportunities for catching fish. As the water cools and then warms back up again between cold fronts, it can make the fish fairly predictable in their movements.
With a consistently cooler water temperature algae dies and the water clears, making this is one of our favorite times of year to fish as it makes for some great site fishing opportunities, as the fish will get into the shallows to soak up some of that Florida sunshine. On the lower stages of the tide, redfish and trout have been hanging out in the potholes. On the flats, the kinship between rays and fish is on display this time of year. As the tide rises. The parade of rays and sharks is on, with the cruising southern stingrays, spotted eagle rays, and occasionally bull sharks. I’ve also had cobia, pompano, and jacks cruising with them. When that water that’s been heated up in the shallows, it starts to flow into the rivers and canals and it’s time to hit it up for snook, redfish and trout along the sea walls, and mangrove shorelines!
Conditions have been perfect this week for targeting snook, trout and redfish. The bay water temperature has been in the upper 60’s in the morning and mid 70’s in the afternoon. As the afternoon tide rises along with the temperature, fish become more active on the flats.
Live bait action has been spectacular in the afternoon. Concentrating efforts on flats that are holding mullet has been the key. Live chumming from an up-tide position will help you locate where the fish are holding. Patiently waiting for your free bees to swim down current into the fish will reveal boils and...
Conditions have been perfect this week for targeting snook, trout and redfish. The bay water temperature has been in the upper 60’s in the morning and mid 70’s in the afternoon. As the afternoon tide rises along with the temperature, fish become more active on the flats.
Live bait action has been spectacular in the afternoon. Concentrating efforts on flats that are holding mullet has been the key. Live chumming from an up-tide position will help you locate where the fish are holding. Patiently waiting for your free bees to swim down current into the fish will reveal boils and pops allowing you to see where to set up.
Free-line pilchards on medium light spinning gear spooled with 10-pound braid. The light braided line will not only help you sling your bait out to where the fish are, but also help you to feel any subtle bite you might have when fishing an open bail, a tactic that can be deadly effective.
Creeks that serve as wintering homes for snook are loading up with fish right now. As our next cold front passes more of the larger fish will enter the creeks. Fishing around sundown will typically give you the best opportunity to hook into some bigger fish. Live pilchards work great, and chumming will get the activity levels of the fish up, but don’t be afraid to send out a larger bait. Pinfish and or finger mullet will really get the attention of a big snook.
Mangrove snapper, snook, redfish, trout, and gag grouper as the weather gets colder the gags are gonna fire off even more. Tell them to hurry up and book for a gag grouper cause the season is gonna be shorter next year and this is gonna be the last Dec we get to keep gags.
Mangrove snapper, snook, redfish, trout, and gag grouper as the weather gets colder the gags are gonna fire off even more. Tell them to hurry up and book for a gag grouper cause the season is gonna be shorter next year and this is gonna be the last Dec we get to keep gags.
The gag grouper bite continues to be great on Tampa Bay The sheepshead are becoming more active with cooling water temperatures as always red fish and snook can be found on the flats
The gag grouper bite continues to be great on Tampa Bay The sheepshead are becoming more active with cooling water temperatures as always red fish and snook can be found on the flats
Inshore has been on fire with redfish bite back on track, sheepshead are showing up in strong numbers. Offshore kingfish, Spanish, hog snapper and gags are close to shore. Best time of year to fish!!
Inshore has been on fire with redfish bite back on track, sheepshead are showing up in strong numbers. Offshore kingfish, Spanish, hog snapper and gags are close to shore. Best time of year to fish!!
Since the weather keeps fluctuating, most of the fish have been scattered, but are of good quality. We have been encountering
Redfish, Trout and snook on the flats, but the tide and area has been crucial.
Cut bat and small pinfish are working well. Artificials have been working great, bait such as mirror lures in the skin series such as pinfish or finger mullet have been catching all 3 inshore species. Also soft plastics like exude dart, mirror lure prevoker and gulp on 16th ounce Jighead have produced some big redfish, Trout, and Snook while we are fishing with bait...
Craig L.
St. Petersburg, FloridaReported 3 years ago
Since the weather keeps fluctuating, most of the fish have been scattered, but are of good quality. We have been encountering
Redfish, Trout and snook on the flats, but the tide and area has been crucial.
Cut bat and small pinfish are working well. Artificials have been working great, bait such as mirror lures in the skin series such as pinfish or finger mullet have been catching all 3 inshore species. Also soft plastics like exude dart, mirror lure prevoker and gulp on 16th ounce Jighead have produced some big redfish, Trout, and Snook while we are fishing with bait has helped to locate the schools. Also be prepared for cobia or triple tail as they will show up when you least expect it. This happened to us on Tuesday with couple nice cobia.
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My guys had a great time on their fishing trip with Captain Nick! The trip was booked per my 10 year old son’s request, and he was accompanied by his step dad and grandpas. Nick was very pleasant and friendly, experienced, and treated my boy as one of his own. They all had a really great time and learned a lot during their trip. Thanks Captain Nick!
Alex is a consummate professional; demonstrates the uncommon ability to banter with and keep kids on the fish while being relatable to adults. If you want your crew to experience a great time and remain comfortable, this is your guy.
We had an amazing time with Dan. We caught plenty of fish and he was great with our kids. Highly recommend using Dan if you’re in the area and want to take the family out.
We arrived at the Dock to meet the Captain and get our trip underway ,Captain Tommy was awesome right from the start not to mention very nice boat with a lot of room and very fast !!! He was an awesome Fisherman and would teach and show his skill’s and would answer any questions. Captain Tommy would absolutely put you right on the fish , if he didn’t like a spot he would drag and go somewhere else !! 10 out of 10 for us ,we would always book him if we are in the area. Hope to get him up to Destin sometime!!!
We had a rough day on the water. He is an amazing guide does everything and more to get you on fish and on the hook! I would highly recommend Matt as your next fishing guide! Great guy and very experienced when it comes to fishing the clear water area!
Captain Steven gave us a great trip catching fish. He was very knowledgeable and friendly and was a great experience overall. I recommend Captain Steven for those of you looking to take advantage of the Tampa experience.
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