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Tampa Bay - South Shore
Capt. Fred Everson
March 12, 2004
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Southshore Tampa Bay Report
Cold weather be gone. Fishing has been very tough the past few days because of unseasonably cold early morning temperatures. There are plenty of fish out there but getting them to bite has been a challenge.
I fished two clients yesterday and we found herds of redfish, but they would eat greenbacks, and they were very spooky to boot. Normally I can pole within 50 yards of these fish, but they only let me get in long casting range a couple of times. Once a big bunch turned and surrounded the boat, and we were ready for them with greenbacks in the water dangling under floats. But they ignored our baits with impunity. When redfish are schooled like this they are generally aggressive, but these fish proved unwilling. I finally hooked up on a single fish on the edge of the grass line that hit a RipTide realistic shrimp on a 3/8-ounce jig head. With my long, custom-built flats rod I was able make a 40-yard cast far enough away from the fish not to spook it, but close enough to get its attention.
After being on redfish that wouldn’t eat for a couple of hours I decided to give up on them and try some backcountry holes for snook. I put two big pilchards out under floats, and by the way they were dragging the floats around I could tell there were some fish around, but the snook weren’t eating either. I decided to make a few casts with a Mirrolure and on the fourth or fifth cast something whacked it hard. I was hooked up instantly and there was a blow up on the surface and then a run for the mangroves. It was, of course, a snook, and a keeper at that. I handed the rod off to my client and after a few minutes of intense combat, we finally put the 27 inch snook in the net. With that fish we put a wrap on a slow day.
Look for nothing but good things to happen this weekend as water temperatures rise. I have never seen so many big redfish around this time of year, nor have I seen as many keeper snook coming into the shop as I have this spring.
There has been some bait around all winter, but it is nothing like dependable. I threw the net a dozen times yesterday off Bahia Beach and had 3 dozen baits to show for it. They were nice, big baits, but as it turned out, plastic saved the day.
Shell Point Bait and Tackle is going to host a fly fishing tournament on May 23. It will be a catch and release affair, and the target species will be redfish. Details are still being worked out. And don’t forget the Catch and Release in a Pot of Hot Grease Spanish mackerel Tournament on May 02. I have more information posted on my website at tampabayfishingguide.com.
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