Fishing Report
Good Weather Equals Great Fishing!
Longer days matched with warm weather has been the key to successful days on the waters of Tampa Bay. With the March winds and cold fronts finally starting to calm down you can expect to have an enjoyable fishful day on the water! There are so many options available this time of year. You can boat a Tarpon by day break, move to your favorite Snook spot by mid morning. As the tide reaches its peak, you can chase schooling redfish and finish off the day in search of Kingfish and Mackerel just off the beaches in the afternoon. There is no better time to get out on the water!
Let’s start with Mackerel and Kingfish. With the big schools of bait moving into the bay so do the Mackerel and Kings. These toothy critters are always feeding. Most markers with good concentrations of bait will hold fish. Look for bait pods and hard bottom. Since Mackerel have teeth, rigging is a little different from the flats. I like to use 40 lb fluorocarbon or monofilament leader with a 1/0 long shank hook. For Kingfish I like to use a stinger rig with steel leader. I also like to use bigger tackle and bait for Kings. They reach sizes up to 60lbs so you have to use big gear if you want a chance at landing the big fish.
Snook are also on the prowl. Like most natives to the area, Snook like warmer weather. They have spent the past month eating everything in sight getting ready for the spawning season. Snook are starting to move out from the creeks and rivers and are moving towards the beaches and spoil islands. I like to step up my leader size from 25lb to 30lb fluorocarbon leader to give you a little more strength for the big one.
Redfish are in full swing. Big schools are roaming mangrove lines and flats almost everywhere feeding on all type of baitfish and crustacians. A stealthy approach and ultralight tackle will increase your chances of catching reds as they are affected most by noise. Using 20lb Fluorocarbon leader with an eagle claw 1/0 circle hook will do the trick. Shrimp, Crabs, Pinfish and Whitebait are some of their favorite meals.
Trout have been making a big rebound from the devastating red tide blooms that we had 3 years ago. I have caught bigger and more trout this year than the past two years. Artificial baits are my favorite rig when targeting trout. I have been using 20lb fluorocarbon leader with a 1/8 ounce jig head and white body. Drifting a grass flat in the 2ft to 5ft depth range has been a successful method. If the winds are strong a drift anchor will help slow down your drift. If you want to use live bait a greenback under a cork will do the trick!
