It's Hot
Capt. Stewart Ames
August 10, 2022
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Predictably, snook fishing has begun to slow…typical for early August. Between warming waters and the spawn concluding, large congregations of fish that have been seen on the beach are beginning to diminish. That said, snook fishing can still be productive over the next few months. The fish just tend to be a bit smaller, fewer in number and become more scattered in terms of location. Fish will move back inside the sound and take up residence along mangrove shorelines and in the backwaters as summer heads towards fall.
Redfishing has been holding up, with double digit fish days still achievable. Cut fish baits and cut tail pinfish seem to be working best right now. Fishing the higher phases of the tide, which allows productive shoreline structure to get covered up, is also a good plan. Expect fishing to improve in the coming months as water temperatures decline and fish begin schooling up a little better.
Shark fishing represents a good alternative during the heat of summer as small blacktop and lemon sharks are available in decent numbers over grass flats just inside the passes. Although many local fishermen have no interest in targeting these fish, they can be dependably caught and pull hard. Steel leaders will go a long way towards getting these fish to the boat.
As summer heads into fall, other fishing opportunities will arrive… snapper on near shore reefs, followed by Spanish mackerel and hopefully kingfish..and snook will re-open in September. Good luck and good fishing.
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