Outdoor Fishing Adventures, Tampa FL

January 2010  Fishing Forecast

SouthShore Tampa Bay

Capt. Danny Guarino

D.R. Guarino Charters

813-956-2010

Well, It’s January and a whole new year. Another year older but who the heck’s counting.

January fishing in Tampa Bay is highly dependent on the weather. If it’s cold with a clear blue sky chances are fishing will be poor. Wind is also a big factor especially if you want to get into open water to fish Sheephead grouper grunt or snapper. You can deal with the wind if you are fishing Snook or Trout in protected waters.

My rule of thumb for fishing late December through Mid February is try to fish between cold fronts 2^nd day after a front and 1 day before the next front. This has worked for me time and time again.

This time of year I like to mix it up a bit doing Sheephead in open water then run inside and do Snook and Trout.  I like fishing for snook and trout with large shrimp or a medium size pilchard when available. For Sheephead shrimp is the only bait I use.

You will find Sheephead around structure in open water. If you fished grouper during the year try some of those same spots and don’t be surprised to find a big sheephead sitting there.

Look for snook in the deeper holes in the river and creeks. I look first in areas that have dark bottoms that hold a little heat.

January can be a challenge but I have had some of my best catching days in this cold month. If you can pick your days you will do well catching, but remember fish when you can cause fishing is fun even if the catching is poor..