Cold and Windy
Capt. Fred Everson
December 12, 2008
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
The weatherman isn't always right. When he forecasts the wind and says it will blow 10 to 15 knots, I usually ad 'em both together and that comes closer to actual conditions, and that's what fishermen have been dealing with for the past few weeks.
On the rare days when it doesn't blow, the fishing has been okay. Some redfish have finally appeared on the Southshore flats, and most of the fish I'm seeing are near the top of the slot. I caught one on Tuesday in front of Sand Key that measured 27 and a half inches. It ate a chunk of frozen ladyfish rigged on a quarter ounce jig head. I also hooked two reds earlier this week on low tide using a plastic crab, also rigged on a jig head. I doctor the crab up a bit by sticking a piece of leader wire into one of the claws and extending it away from the carapace. If you have ever seen a crab flee in distress, that's the way they swim, with one claw out. In any event it seems to work.
I have also been seeing a few cobia on the flats, and a lot of sheepshead. The sheepshead are tough to catch in the shallows, but on a low tide you can catch them in the deeper holes on live shrimp. I hook the shrimp through the head, cast it out and let it sit. You have to keep the line tight and set the hook as soon as you feel a hard tap.
A few of the cobia I have seen recently were laid up motionless on the bottom. It's weird behaviour, but they seem to be willing to strike a jerk bait when they are in this mode. Most of the fish I'm seeing are just short of the 33-inch limit.
Trout season reopens on January 01 and there seem to be a quite a few big fish on the flats between Big Pass and Mag's Hole.For more information visit Tampabayfishingguide.com, or call Capt. Fred Everson at 813 830 8890
More Fishing Reports:
