Redfish and Trout on Fly
Capt. Nick Angelo
November 8, 2008
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Tampa Bay and The Nature Coast
Fishing for trout and redfish along Florida's Nature Coast has been great this past week. We carried only fly rods and left the spinning rods at the dock. The sight fishing for reds has been spot-on, when the tide is right. We had good numbers of tailing and cruising fish, in just inches of water. I find most of the reds tailing in the soft mud and grass bottom adjacent to oyster bars. As the tide rises, the fish will push up onto the oysters and continue feeding. We are using small crab style flies with tiny bead chain eyes. A delicate presentation close to the fishes head, is necessary to get the grab.
Plump trout were being caught among the grass flats on the Nature Coast as well. We armed ourselves with 7wt Loop rods, sink tip lines, and chartreuse weighted clouser flies. The trout are putting on the feed as winter approaches. The cooler water seems to be positive a factor when fishing for trout. The trout bite was hot, when the water was cool. The water temperature has warmed a bit, but will drop again with the next cold front. I've been focusing my efforts on the spotty grass flats south of Homosassa.
Down along Tampa Bay's South shore, there has been some good fishing for reds and trout as well. I prefer to fish the sand holes on the lower tides. The fish become concentrated in these holes and are easy target with a fly rod. I like to use heavy clouser flies and bounce then in and out of the sandholes. When spin fishing I prefer using D.O.A. C.A.L.S. on Jig heads. I find the up and down, "hopping" motion, to be key to in getting a bite.
There are also reports of a good snook bite after dark. Big snook are also putting on the feed in preparation for winter. The lighted docks from St. Pete to Clearwater have been producing. I enjoy throwing flies at those big snooks. A stiff 9wt or 10wt rod with a straight 40# leader is necessary, to keep them from breaking off on the pilings. For flies, I like to use small glass minnow imitations built on stout hooks. It's a great time to be fishing and living in Florida, so get out there and wet a line!
Capt. Nick Angelo
www.shallowwaterflyfishing.com
Tampa Bay Fishing Forecast:
Look for the Redfish and Trout action to heat up, as the water cools down.
Target Species:
Redfish Trout Snook
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