Upcoming Fishing Forecast...

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...

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!!

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!

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...

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!!