Fishing Reports

Tarpon Time!

2010-05-18T08:59:00.002-04:00

It is upon us. My favotite time of the year! TARPON TIME!! The fish have shown up in Tampa Bay in good numbers.
The beaches are a still a little slow, but that should change quickly after this new moon in May. My favorite beach baits are blue crabs and pinfish. Both rigged under a float. But, don't overlook threadfin, pumpkin seeds or whitebait (scaled sardines).
Up in the Bay, the fishing has been spectacular around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Whether sitting on the anchor flipping threadfin, pinfish or whitebait on the incoming tide or drifting crabs on the big outgoing moon tides, hook ups are almost a guarantee.
Permit fishing over some of the reefs and wrecks off the beach has also been excellent so far this spring. Fish from 25-45 pounds have been the norm. These trash can lids have awsome pulling power and will humble even the best of anglers!
Call to book your trip now! If you think you are tough enough, make a long day of it and let's go get permit and tarpon in a single day. Call and ask about extended day rates!

Upcoming Fishing Forecast...

2009-09-03T08:45:00.002-04:00

Here is what we can expect for the next upcoming couple of months:

We’ll be looking for the redish to start grouping up in big schools soon. Finding should be relatively easy starting the first week of September. These big schools of reds are often full of over-slot fish that will often push up onto shallow flats. When its time to eat, these bruisers will readily take a variety of artificials including; top water plugs, soft plastics and flies for those anglers so inclined. Live baiters should have no problems getting these reds to eat pinfish, pilchards and let’s never underestimate the power of a live shrimp.

The snook will start to move off the beaches and slowly work their way back across their spring areas and then eventually into the traditional winter areas. Over the next couple of months you should be able to locate the linesiders in the same areas you find them in the spring. The same baits that get you a redfish, will work perfectly for tricking snook into the boat. Good water flow is often important to put these fish on the chew. Areas where the tide is “bottlenecked” seem to be great ambush points. Also remember, presentation is extremely important.

Speckled sea trout should be pretty easy in 3-6 feet of water. Look for “nervous” water over healthy grass. Trout are a sucker for soft plastics! Artificial shrimp, such as the DOA shrimp, are deadly when fished under a popping cork. No easier way to get ‘em, in my opinion. The bigger fish will start to hunt the shallower waters in the early morning and evening hours. Big top waters are my go to for these “gators”.

Best of the rest…
Tarpon are still here and should remain a viable target for at least another month or so. Snapper fishing in the Bay remains off the hook and the inshore grouper fishing should start to really turn on as we get further into September and really go off into October.

Fall is a great time to fish the Tampa Bay area!! There’s a lot going on which creates a lot of different options!
Book a trip today before these excellent fishing opportunities are all taken!

Blue Water Report...

2009-08-31T09:28:00.003-04:00

We left Saturday afternoon around 2 with the hopes of getting on some swordfish. The crew consisted of Tony Cellamare, Justin Mastry, Jason Gell, Glen and myself. We loaded up on Jason's 27 Contender, "G-Force", and headed out for blue water. With beautiful seas and weather, we made great time and had a very nice ride. We stopped in about 450 feet and put 4 lines out and did a little trolling. Lines aren't in the 15 minutes and I see something skyrocket almost 20 feet out on the long. The fish misses so I quickly drop back for him...BAM! Long hot run!!! I recognize this...can be only one thing...WAHOO!! After about 20 minutes on 30# test, a nice 30 pounder joins the crew of the G-Force.

With no more looks over the next hour or so, we pick 'em up and head for the Box area. Spent all night sword fishing. We were to be disappointed by the broad bill ones with only one bait getting beat up and not bit. So at daybreak we head for the barn.

On the way in, we see a nice rip and decide to drag some baits and see what happens. Just as we're about to deploy the first bait, a Tuna Crunch, we see a sail crashing a half mile away. While its not meat, we head in the direction of the activity. As we're headed there, we see another sail tail out. Get to the area. Make the turn to troll parallel to the rip and the long goes off and then stops. S*%T!! Justin grabs the rod and I tell him to drop it back..wait...wait...wait...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Hot sail goes tail walking away with the Tuna Crunch swinging out in front of him. The crew get the other lines clear, Jason gets the Contender turned and we go after the now sounding fish. After 15 minutes, we still haven't seen the fish since it's initial strike. Then as we get closer, the line angle changes and right in front of us the sail puts on an amazing display. After another 15 minutes or so, we had the fish leadered.

After a couple of quick photos, the fish was released and swam away no worse for wear with the exception of maybe a sore upper lip.We headed home stopping one more time to try for some AJs. Caught a few undersized fish. With everyone tired, we decided to call it and head home. While a little disappointed with the sword bite, we also learned some things that should prove valuable on the next trip. Thanks to Jason and crew for the invite!!

It Might be Hot Out, But So Is the Action!!

2009-08-26T15:07:00.002-04:00

St. Pete Report- Tarpon & Permit

Well here we are…the last week of August. The temperature maybe HOT, but not nearly as hot as the tarpon and permit fishing has been lately! Crabs have been the ticket for both.

I’ve been asked a lot lately, “Are the tarpon still around?” The answer…”Absolutely the tarpon are still here and in good numbers”. There is still some light tackle sight fishing and fly fishing to be done on the beaches. Stake up and wait for the fish to come to you. These fish are definitely willing to eat! The tarpon have been chewing well around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, too. The days just before and after the big moons the fish have been crushing crabs free lined while drift fishing during the outgoing tides. Off the moon, the fish are more than willing to take threadfin and pinfish. There are also good numbers of tarpon in most of the traditional spots well inside the Skyway as well.

Permit, permit and more permit!!! Permit fishing has been great over a good many of the near shore wrecks and reefs! The bait for these hard battling fish? CRABS! Free lining crabs over the structure on a 3/0 circle or “J” hook tied to 40 pound fluorocarbon seems to be working the best for us. Some fish have come from crabs suspended 6-8 feet under a cork. While mostly drift fishing and sighting the fish, from time to time we anchor near the whatever the ‘mits are holding on and float the baits back over the structure. These are a formidable foe that are as beautiful as they are strong! The challenge usually comes in keeping these drag burners from getting down and wrapping the structure resulting in one break off after another.

Best of the rest…
Snook fishing is still pretty good on the beaches and in the passes. Live baits such as pilchards, pinfish, threadfin and grunts will definitely get you hooked up. The red fishing for me has been a little slow. But, in my defense, I have spent the majority of my time hunting tarpon and permit. Did I mention that already? Anyway, as far as the species we would target on the flats go…get out early or go out after the afternoon t-storms pass. The bite will typically be better and you’ll be a whole lot more comfortable. Oh, and let’s not forget how productive night fishing can be. Docks, passes and bridges are all great areas to target at night.

Good dates available!! Call today to book your trip and make some memories!

2009-04-28T17:10:00.002-04:00

They're heeeerrreee!!! The tarpon have arrived in numbers and are showing up in all the usual places. No real numbers on the beach yet with all the west winds we were having. But, all that should change in the not too distant future with the prevailing east winds we've been feeling as of this week. Typical baits this time of year include; threadfin, scaled sardines and pinfish.
The redfish bite has been on fire! The Fort DeSoto area has been covered in reds. Live and cut bait have been the key to hooking into what are mostly over slot fish.
Trout can stil be had by targeting mostly water that is 4-6 feet deep over healthy grass flats. There has been plenty of slot sized fish and a good number of over slot fish. The trout are still easily fooled with jigs and plugs. Topwater in the early morning and at sunset should be outstanding.

NOW is the time to book your tarpon charter!! The best dates and tides are filling up quickly!

Gonna be gone for a while...

2009-02-19T20:26:00.002-05:00

For the months of March, April and the first half of May 2009 I will be working a private boat. The job will have me out of town for these months.
I WILL be back for the majority of the Tampa Bay area tarpon season and I still have a few available dates.
Stay posted and watch for picture updates from the Keys and Bahamas!!

November is here...

2008-11-04T09:55:00.002-05:00

...and so are the cold fronts that traditionally follow.
The water temps are falling with each passing front and the kingfish bite near the beach is turning on. Tons of bait are bringing the kings, spanish mackerel and bonita within only a mile or so of the beaches and often even closer. These fish are hungry and eager to eat!

The inshore grouper bite has been on fire when we're able to get out between blows. Lots of keeper fish coming over the rail! These are real bruiser fish in only 5-15 feet of water. When you hook one of these slobs, HOLD ON!

The redfish bite continues to be consistent on the flats. A variety of artificials are catching their share along with live shrimp, whitebait and pinfish.

The trout bite has really picked up with some bigger fish starting to show more often. Finding these fish in 3-6 feet of water over healthy grass.

The snook are in transition. We're finding 'em in the same places we would find the in the spring.

Plenty of fish out there to be caught so book your trip now!
Also, now booking for the 2009 tarpon season. Book early to get a shot at the best dates!

Tight Linez & Screamin' Dragz!

The Redfish Bite...

2008-09-18T21:51:00.002-04:00

...continues to be hot, especially in the Fort DeSoto area. Cut ladyfish and pinfish are working well, as are live pinfish, whitebait and threadfin. A number of anglers are doing well on top water baits such as Zara Spook and the Mirr-O-Lure She Dog in areas where the floating grass isn’t too bad.

Centropomus undecimalis , or snook, are still in the passes and willing to eat big live baits like hand sized pinfish, ladyfish and large grunts. Dock light fishing at night is a great way to beat the heat and catch plenty of snook right now. The docks of Boca Ciega Bay are full of snook. Live shrimp, whitebait or pinfish will get ‘er done as far as live baits go. For artificial choices, my favorites are the DOA Shrimp and the Mirrodine and new Mirrodine XL.

The best of the rest…

The inshore grouper bite is definitely getting better and the Tampa Bay mangrove snapper bite is on fire right now. Both of these tasty fish can be found at and around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge along with good numbers of Spanish mackerel. There are still a few tarpon around for the patient angler and a cobia or two can be found if one looks hard enough.

September is here...

2008-09-01T08:23:00.002-04:00

And so are the REDFISH!

The redfish have definitely taken center stage over the last couple of weeks. Big schools of up to a few hundred are showing up in several different places in lower and middle Tampa Bay. And, these fish are hungry! The reds have been very willing to take Mirr-O-Lure She-Pups in the morning and Mirrodines through out the day. Live bait is absolutely killing 'em! Pinfish, threadfin, whitebait and shrimp are all working well.

The snook bite has slowed a bit on the beach. But, on the flats they are still a viable target. Look under over hanging mangrove branches in the shaded water. Again, live bait is working well to entice these wiley predators. But, for you artificial enthusiest, Mirrodines and a variety of soft plastics are doing damage as well when skipped up under docks and mangroves.

The tarpon bite has taken a back seat here in Tampa Bay. The fish have gotten squirrely and extremely uncooperative. While we have been able to find them with no problem, getting the silver one to eat has been nothing short of challenging. There are still a few singles and doubles along area beaches that can be targeted if one has the patience to sit and wait.

The best of the rest...

Shallow water grouper fishing, inside the bay, continues to get better every week with good catches of "keeper" grouper coming in the boat. Live pinfish have been the ticket with these "knock-down, drag-out" fighters.

Also, the snapper and spanish mackerel numbers are still good in the Bay as well. The bait situation is definitely better than a month ago with bait showing up in good numbers and size in all of the usual places around Tampa Bay and just off the beaches.

We are going to be running some specials on rates for September so call or e-mail today for more info and to book your trip!

CaptTommyZ@Action-Charters.com

727-432-0355

Tight Linez!

Captain Tommy Ziesmann

Redfish starting to join the action...

2008-07-28T05:38:00.002-04:00

Redfish are starting to school up on the right tides and seem to be hungry. Live and cut pinfish seem to be working well as decent size whitebait is a hard commodity to come by right now. The reds don't appear to be opposed to a top water Mirr-O-Lure in the morning, either. But, the dead grass we get in the summer makes hard baits difficult.
The tarpon bite is still going fairly strong. Live bait fishing remains an option with small live pinfish and larger threadfin topping the list of baits. Also, plemty of sightcasting artificials to be done for the chrome ones.
The snook fishing remains en fuego (on fire)!! Bridges and beaches holding some really big girls that are suckers for a large pinfish, grunt, mullet or ladyfish. The night time bite has also been off the hook!
Best of the rest...
Still plenty of spanish mackerel around. Find the bait, find the spannies! Trout fishing remains consistent in 3-6 feet of water over healthy grass. The mangrove snapper bite is absolutely off the hook everywhere in the bay. And, there is some inshore grouper to be had.

E-mail or call and ask about August specials on charters!

Tight Linez & Screamin' Dragz!

The summer heat is here...

2008-07-16T08:58:00.002-04:00

Well, its finally on us. The dog days of summer. The trick to fishing now has been get out there early or fish late afternoon/early evening and paying attention to the tides.

We are starting to sight cast tarpon in the mornings with artificials and having some decent success. This will only get better with each passing day. There are still fish on the beaches, in the passes and around the bridges that are being caught with various live baits.

Snook and trout fishing continue to be consistent on arties and live bait. Night time is a great time to catch snook and beat the heat of summer.

Spanish mackerel continue to make a strong showing inside the bay and some out around the beaches. Small spoons and small live baits have been the ticket for these toothy critters. Great fishing for the kids!!

There are plenty of great dates still available for the summer so book your trip now!

Tight Linez & Screamin' Dragz!

Capt. Tommy Z.
Posted by Fishing Reports at 8:36 AM

Tarpon bite continues to be good!

2008-07-08T07:56:00.007-04:00

We are still doing really well on tarpon in the Bay and on the beaches. On most trips we have been averaging 3-6 fish a trip. Most of these fish have been the smaller males in the 60-100 pound range with a few of the big girls, upwards of 150 pounds. Some really nice permit in the 30-40 pound range are being caught during these trips also. Not always the norm, but definitely an exciting surprise! We are really looking forward to the upcoming weeks when we can get out and sight cast tarpon with artificial baits. These are usually early morning trips so we can beat the heat and the daily afternoon storms. There are still some great dates available for tarpon so book your trip now!

The snook bite also continues to be on fire and should remain good well into the late summer. A lot of fish in the 34-40+ inch range are be caught. Especially on the beaches and in the passes.

On the flats we are catching snook, trout, small blacktip and bonnethead sharks and picking up some of the scattered redfish.

Please call or e-mail if you are interested in a particular species not mentioned in this report OR if you would like to book a charter.

Tight Linez and Screaming Dragz!!!

Tarpon bite still HOT!!

2008-07-02T23:45:00.001-04:00

We are still doing really well on tarpon in the Bay and on the beaches. The fish are back from the spawn and ready to eat. On most trips we have been averaging 3-6 fish a trip. Most of these fish have been the smaller males in the 60-100 pound range with a few of the big girls, upwards of 150 pounds, still around and willing to eat. We are really looking forward to this upcoming month to get out and sight cast tarpon with artificial baits. There are still some great dates available for tarpon so book your trip now!

The snook bite also continues to be on fire and should remain good well into the late summer. A lot of fish in the 34-40+ inch range are be caught. Especially on the beaches and in the passes.

There are still some shallow water grouper to be picked up along with a good snapper bite.

On the flats we are catching snook, trout, small blacktip and bonnethead sharks and picking up some of the scattered redfish. The redfishing should pick up around the middle of August when the fish start to group back up.

Please call or e-mail if you are interested in a particular species not mentioned in this report OR if you would like to book a charter.

Tight Linez and Screaming Dragz!!!