Great Time to Fish
Capt. Stewart Ames
May 13, 2022
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
With winds finally settling down to some degree, spring fishing is heating up fast. Snook still remain in three different environments…in the backwaters, inside the intercostal waterway and out on the beach. With strong tides approaching in the next week, it's likely that more fish will arrive on the beaches shortly and summer fishing for snook will be "off to the races". Large live baits will catch the bigger fish but always load the well with plenty of whitebait so that chum can be distributed to motivate fish to start eating.
Seatrout have departed St Joseph's Sound and have taken up their typical spring locations out on the beach. Fishing should remain strong through the end of May but expect these fish to thin out as June approaches. Chumming with whitebait will help in locating these beach fish as they will usually start popping bait on the surface if they are in the area. Fish tend to be just under slot to around 20 inches.
Redfishing will only get better as the month progresses as warm waters and bigger summer tides will increase activity. Pitching live or cut baits into the bushes will work on the higher phases of the tide. Look for fish out on the flats associated with mullet during the weaker tides. The three year red tide closure has left populations in good shape so expect good red fishing through the remainder of the summer. Good luck and good fishing.
Target Species:
Snook , redfish seatrout, kingfish, snapper
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