Redfish starting to show in great numbers in Tampa Bay
Capt. Taylor Cowieson
August 14, 2021
Bradenton - Saltwater Fishing Report
The last few weeks on our inshore fishing charters we have started to see an influx in the amount of redfish being caught by our guests. These fish are catch and release again in our region but they put up a great fight on light tackle. We have been catching them on the shallow grass flats at the mouth of the Manatee River using live and dead pilchards and pinfish for bait. Some days we are seeing a few here and there mixed in with the mullet and along the mangrove edges and points with the snook. We are also finding schools of redfish when conditions are right which have led to some double digit rallies of redfish, this will happen more often as we get closer to the fall months.
The snook fishing remains fast action and we are starting to see some of the larger fish move back in from the beach after this last weekends new moon. This gives anglers on our half day fishing charters a legitimate shot at catching a larger female snook for the next few months as these fish will be mixed in with the smaller more prevelant males. A live pinfish is a great bait to entice a larger snook. There is also plenty of snook still out on the beach and that will continue until the next month or two before the majority of the larger fish have made their way back to the bays and rivers.
The gag grouper fishing will get better and better as we get closer to fall in Tampa Bay. We are catching quite a few smaller fish mixed in with the mangrove snapper on the hard bottom areas and some of the artificial reefs. We have been catching them on whitebait or pinfish free lined or on a small split shot weight. Once we get our first cold front of the year is when I will start to target these fish more. The mangrove snapper have been all over the place and we are landing quality fish regularly in the 12-15 inch range making for happy guests leaving with fresh fish perfect for fish tacos!
We are still trying to fish early to beat the heat and get in before the late afternoon storms start to pop up. If you are looking for something fun to do now that the kids are back in school call me at 813-220-8725 to set up a day of fish catching. We offer inshore fishing charters picking up clients from multiple locations in Bradenton, Palmetto, and Anna Maria Island. We look forward to getting you and your party out on the water to enjoy a safe fun day and make some great memories.
More Fishing Reports:
