Cobia, Tarpon, and Spanish Mackerel Make the Show
Capt. Fred Everson
June 1, 2009
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
It would appear that the rainy season is a month early this year. Fishing has been good whenever the weather permits it, but that has not been very often for the past few weeks.
The grouper bite is still hot by all accounts. Capt. Tom Rinehart told me he was catching keepers over hard bottom off Bahia Beach with live sardines. Capt. Larry Malinoski continues to catch big fish trolling the ship's channel with planers and three-ounce jigs. Red and white seems to be the color.
Mike Strickland of Riverview caught some big trout this past week around Piney Point with live sardines. Bait is still on the flats, but they are hard to see in the murky water. With all the rain we've been getting it's not going to clear up anytime soon.
Capt. Chet Jennings has been targeting tarpon around the Sunshine Skyway with success. The bite is best at slack tide with live threadfins.
Last week I got out with Keli Emery to look for cobia and tripletail. We didn't find any trips, but did see three cobia and hooked two of them. Both fish were in the 40-pound class, and despite doing everything right Keli got broke off twice. Fish this size go where they will and there's not much you can do about it.
Yesterday I fished with James Johnigean and his son Jeremy, who caught the biggest Spanish mackerel I have ever seen. It hit a white paddle tail on a half-ounce jig head.
Tides this week are very high around the new moon, which occurred on Monday. The falling tide should be great for catch and release snook.
Captain Fred can be reached by calling 813 830 8890, or visit his website at Tampabayfishingguide.com.
Tampa Bay Fishing Forecast:
Looks like there are a lot of cobia in the bay. Also tarpon. All we need is a little less wind
Target Species:
Cobia Tarpon Redfish Snook Spanish Mackerel
More Fishing Reports:
