Bait is Thick and the Fish are Hungry

Capt. Trajan Rodriguez
September 15, 2017
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report

As the water temps started to slightly cool down from the rains, the redfish have been stacked and are starting to work towards their fall patterns. We have been consistently finding schools of the big overslot redfish on the grass flats of Tampa Bay. The fish are easier to locate on the big moon low tides, but can be seen by slowly trolling along and looking.

Snook are working their way off the beaches and can be found in heavy structure areas like docks and bridges. Soon these big breeder snook will push back on to the flat.

Its been near impossible to stay away from keeper size mangrove snapper. They are really dialed in on the smaller whitebait. Small hooks and light leader is the key to limiting out on these tasty fish.

Whitebait is thick on the usual flats where they like to hold and it only takes a few throws to black out the livewell. I still recommend a 1/4' net but the 3/8' will get the job done.

More Fishing Reports:

• All Reports by Capt. Trajan Rodriguez
• Tampa Bay Fishing Reports
• West Florida (Englewood to Cedar Key) Reports
• Florida Fishing Reports
• Browse All Fishing Reports