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Fishing about to Turn On
Capt. Stewart Ames
February 23, 2023
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Warming waters in late February signal that fishing is about to get better. There may be another cold front or two, but the strength and magnitude of these is usually less this time of year and water temps seem to rebound more quickly. The large seatrout bite in St. Joseph's sound is still on fire. Whitebait is the best bait but large shrimp and pinfish will get the job done. Swim tail jigs, which seem to be as good a bait as any in winter, seem to loose some ground to live bait this time of year…possibly because these trout now expect to see this bait and are looking for it. On the weak winter high tides, there is occasionally enough water to chase redfish. Sneaking upon on to local flats and pitching baits into mullet schools is one of the best approaches. Sometimes the reds are with the mullet, sometimes not. This hit or miss fishing for redfish will improve as stronger tides return in the coming months and, before long, anglers will be productively pitching baits along mangrove shorelines and experiencing good success. Water temperatures have now pushed into the low seventies which typically wakes up the snook. Although these fish tend to be smaller in size the the "big girls" caught on the beach in summer, there are some respectable fish around. Snook season opens March 1st. Look for the mangrove snapper to show up up on near shore rocks piles and, as March progresses, Spanish mackerel will likely follow. Kingfish may join the mix as March comes to a close. Good luck and good fishing.
Target Species:
Seatrout, redfish, snook, snapper, mackerel, kingfish
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