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Tampa Bay - South Shore
Capt. Fred Everson
February 4, 2004
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Southshore Tampa Bay Fishing Report
It finally warmed up a bit, and that seemed to turn the trout bite on. However, most of the reports we had at the bait shop were of undersized fish. Larry Malinoski and Gary Kennedy of Ruskin went west of the Skyway and found plenty of trout, but the majority of the fish caught were undersized.
I got out late yesterday morning with Roger Mills of Ruskin. It was nearly calm, the water was clear, and the sky mostly cloudless so we targeted redfish. We found a few small pods of that refused Capt. Mike’s white spoons and 7 MR Mirrolures, although I did have one fish nose up to the plug three times. When redfish won’t eat baitfish imitations, I’ve been going to plastic crabs with good success. RipTide, Berkley, DOA, and other manufactures offer small crab imitations, and I’m sure redfish are not brand conscious when feeding on critters in shells.
I’ve had good luck with the 2 inch RipTide crabs and color doesn’t seem to matter. I fish it on a half ounce jig head, on my 8’3” flats rod, and eight pound test line. Casting distance and accuracy are the keys to catching winter redfish in a foot of gin clear water. The idea is to throw the bait 10 feet beyond the fish, and then ease it into his line of sight. Every fish hooked on the crab has been in the meaty corner of the mouth. About half the fish we’ve caught since late December have been over the 27 inch cap.
I have been cherry picking my days, fishing only when the wind is down and the temperature is up. It’s supposed to turn cold again next week, but there are signs of spring on the flats. I saw pelicans deep diving on bait yesterday, and by the way they were throwing back their heads, I bet they were feasting on pilchards. That the bait has stayed in the bay has been the bright spot so far this winter.
I also saw some snook on the flats yesterday for the first time this year. We had one fish come right up to the boat, and it looked to be near the top of the 34 inch cap. Then I poled onto another pod of snook, all of which were probably shorts. We threw crabs at them, but they show no interest. Water temperature in the Gulf yesterday was only 60 degrees, but I’ve had reports of 66 degrees on the Southshore flats, and with seeing snook out there already, I can believe it.
The full moon and foul weather this weekend should make for a wash, but look for a quick recovery if the sun comes out and the water temperature continues to climb.
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