It's officially Spring in Tampa Bay Area. Snook are all over the place and are feeding well. Water temp's are right where they should be which puts the fish in a good mood, which means bent rods and screaming drags.
Live bait is the best choice, but if you like tossing artificials, no worries, you'll catch your fair share as well. Here are a few lures that I like when targeting snook, redfish and trout. Headon's Spookis my go to for top-water. For redfish, and trout, I like tossing a 4"paddle tail ( colors: white and clear with red metal-flake...
It's officially Spring in Tampa Bay Area. Snook are all over the place and are feeding well. Water temp's are right where they should be which puts the fish in a good mood, which means bent rods and screaming drags.
Live bait is the best choice, but if you like tossing artificials, no worries, you'll catch your fair share as well. Here are a few lures that I like when targeting snook, redfish and trout. Headon's Spookis my go to for top-water. For redfish, and trout, I like tossing a 4"paddle tail ( colors: white and clear with red metal-flake ). Snook in Tampa Bay are live bait feeders, but you can still get them to eat artificials. I like a 1/8oz snake-lock jig head with a ZMan Paddlerz. Schools of redfish are also showing up on the flats in a few areas. These fish are very boat shy, so be quiet and patient and you'll hook a few. Once again, live or cut bait has been the best way to hook these skittish bronze beauties.
Some of the redfish schools have been beat up by some fishermen, but that’s just how it goes with the amount of boaters on the water these days, so again, be patient and you'll hook a few. They are mostly oversized fish, which means your drag is gonna scream. The sheepshead bite is still going strong in Tampa Bay, and the rock piles, jetties and bridges have been producing some nice catches. Live shrimp, fiddler and mud crabs have been the baits of choice.
Good numbers of upper to over-slot snook have showed up along the beaches and in the passes. Snook and tarpon will be our main target species for the next few months.
Seth L.
Tarpon Springs, FloridaReported 3 years ago
Good numbers of upper to over-slot snook have showed up along the beaches and in the passes. Snook and tarpon will be our main target species for the next few months.
Fishing report for the last two weeks in the Tampa bay area.
The trout bite has been exceptional on the flats from 3 to 6 foot of water in the morning on an incoming tide, a Pilchard under a under afloat works best. I like using 15 to 20 pound leader with a 1/0 to 2/0 Circle hook.
Next move over at redfish the fish can be very finicky and hard to find sometimes because they are heavily fished, but luckily I have been on a good red fish bite the past two weeks, and again on an incoming tide...
Fishing report for the last two weeks in the Tampa bay area.
The trout bite has been exceptional on the flats from 3 to 6 foot of water in the morning on an incoming tide, a Pilchard under a under afloat works best. I like using 15 to 20 pound leader with a 1/0 to 2/0 Circle hook.
Next move over at redfish the fish can be very finicky and hard to find sometimes because they are heavily fished, but luckily I have been on a good red fish bite the past two weeks, and again on an incoming tide has been the ticket, cut bait on the bottom, like threadfin or cut mullet Has been working well. I like to use 20 to 30 pound leader with a 2/0 circle hook.
And let’s not forget our favorite fish in the area and what makes Tampa Bay world renowned: the hard fighting beautiful Snook. These fish can get upwards of 40+ inches. The average fish caught on fishing trips are between 18 and 27 inches, but you never know when you’re going to hook into that 30” to 35” or even 40” fish and you better be ready because when they hit, you’re definitely gonna know it.
Over the next couple weeks, the snook are going to start to make their way out to the beaches and then start their spawn. So for the next three weeks the odds of hooking into a 30 inch plus or even 40 inch fish is pretty good that’s why I love May so much here in the Tampa Bay area.
Spring into summer by fishing in Tampa Bay!
Charter fishing in the last month in Tampa Bay is about as good as it gets as far as plenty of action plenty of great fish to catch and plenty of options for our local fish and we have migrating species invading our local waters. With the warming waters we get large schools of cigar minnows, hard tails, blue runners, and threadfin herring with that brings king fish, sharks, Spanish mackerel, Bonita, and even sailfish and blackfin tuna. Our inshore fishing has been on fire our customers have found redfish and large...
Spring into summer by fishing in Tampa Bay!
Charter fishing in the last month in Tampa Bay is about as good as it gets as far as plenty of action plenty of great fish to catch and plenty of options for our local fish and we have migrating species invading our local waters. With the warming waters we get large schools of cigar minnows, hard tails, blue runners, and threadfin herring with that brings king fish, sharks, Spanish mackerel, Bonita, and even sailfish and blackfin tuna. Our inshore fishing has been on fire our customers have found redfish and large speckled trout with plenty of snook in the last month, and we are seeing more and more tarpon showing up with every passing moon so it's time to grip that rod reel just a little bit tighter and be ready for those silver kings to come a calling. I don't really expect any real changes except for more tarpon and sharks in the weeks to come so tight lines until next time. -Captain Phil
The redfish bite along mangrove shorelines and oyster bars continues to be strong. The first push of tarpon are starting to show up along the beaches. Look for more fish to move into the area around each new/full moon.
Seth L.
Tarpon Springs, FloridaReported 3 years ago
The redfish bite along mangrove shorelines and oyster bars continues to be strong. The first push of tarpon are starting to show up along the beaches. Look for more fish to move into the area around each new/full moon.
Fishing has been great. No signs of red tide. Water temp has been warming up along with those spring/summer high tides that everybody wants. This is when those big reds and snook start seeking shade under the trees. We call it "combat fishing," a tug of war between you and the fish. Plenty of trout showing up on the grass flats along with good table fare just a few miles from shore
Fishing has been great. No signs of red tide. Water temp has been warming up along with those spring/summer high tides that everybody wants. This is when those big reds and snook start seeking shade under the trees. We call it "combat fishing," a tug of war between you and the fish. Plenty of trout showing up on the grass flats along with good table fare just a few miles from shore
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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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