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Tampa Bay - South Shore
Capt. Fred Everson
February 15, 2004
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Southshore Tampa Bay Fishing Report
Snook fishing picked up last week as the water temperature inside the bay began to climb. Capt. Chet Jennings brought several keepers back to the dock on his most recent charters. My partner Capt. Danny Guarino also had a hot day on snook last Thursday. His clients caught and released more than 20 snook that included three fish in the slot.
Both captains were unable to find bait in the bay and reported having to run to the Skyway. Danny said it was even tough there.
I fished all week with my good friend Robert Derick of Newport, Vermont. Bob is on of Vermont’s premier grouse hunters and guides, and he was happy to see the air temperature above zero. We got onto some redfish on Monday, but only put one in the boat. It hit a RipTide shrimp on a very long cast on one of my custom built rods. You really have to reach out and touch these spooky fish in clear shallow water. I also use eight-pound test monofilament in this situation to maximize casting distance. The long rod throws lures well up to 3/8ths of an ounce – but tends to overload with anything heavier. With the wind behind me, I can probably get better than fifty yards with a plastic crab or a 7MR, and that’s about how far the cast has to be to catch winter redfish.
Bob caught his first keeper snook behind the bait shop on Tuesday morning just before sunrise. The 30-inch house fish hit a white RipTide shad tail on a jig head, and was duly released after photographs. Derick went out with Danny Guarino and Larry Malinoski later that morning and they caught a mess of short trout on the other side of the bay.
Wednesday we were foiled by wind and clouds, but still hooked a monster snook in the mangroves. It hit a red and white Top Dog Jr, and I have never hooked a bigger snook. The hook pulled as I tried to bring the running fish to heel, and I nearly raised a blister on my thumb trying to brake the spool of the bait caster. I was still shaking my head and mumbling 20 minutes after that fish got off.
Shell Point Bait and Tackle will host another fishing tournament on Sunday, February 22, 2004, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The target species will be jacks, and the format is artificials only. We supply you with a selection of lures and let you pick a surface plug off the wall. Entry fee is $25 and it includes the lures, and a jambalaya feed after the weigh in. First place prize is a Quantum Iron Cast Bait Casting Reel on a pistol grip bait-casting rod – just the ticket for fishing the mangroves or dock lights. You may register the day of the tournament, but we’ve only made up 25 lure bags. First come, first served. Call 813 641 3662 for further information.
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