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Tampa Bay - South Shore
Capt. Fred Everson
May 18, 2005
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Southshore Tampa Bay Fishing Report for May 18
This is Tampa Bay fishing as good as it gets. The variety of fish available is never greater than it is this month. Even though snook fishing is a catch and release affair until September, the bite has nevertheless been hot. I have been seeing pods of snook all over the Southshore flats, apparently making their way towards the Port Manatee Spoil Island to spawn. Clients caught a bunch of shorts and several slot-sized fish – both of the bigger fish hit Rip Tide flats chubs in glow.
Capt. Danny Guarino said that some cobia finally showed up on the flats south of the Little Manatee River. He hooked one short, and saw three others yesterday. I have also been seeing some big blacktips and bull sharks on the flats in recent weeks. I hooked one of the blacktips on a plug last Wednesday, thinking I was casting to a cobia. Needless to say, it eventually cut me off and took my $8 plug – but the 20-minute battle was worth it, and by the way the shark was gnawing on that plug, I expect he was soon rid of it.
The redfish bite also picked up a bit. I caught a couple of keepers and a few shorts last week. Capt. Nick Winger also reported catching some short redfish in the mangroves around Joe Island.
Capt. Larry Malinoski was offshore this week and caught blackfin tuna, albacore and grouper with Capt. Glen Taylor and Capt. Billy Jordan.
Capt. Chet Jennings said the tarpon bite has been slow, but that there are plenty of fish around. He speculates the big fish might feed on stronger outgoing tides.
Many of the anglers fishing out of Shell Point Bait and Tackle are reporting hot fishing for big trout. It has also been a very productive season for flounder.
There is plenty of bait on the flats now – perfect sized three and four-inch scaled sardines. They should be with us for a couple of weeks more before moving back out into deeper water once they finish spawning.
Shell Point Bait and Tackle will host another Catch and Release in A Pot of Hot Grease Spanish Mackerel Tournament on Sunday May 22. Entry fee is $25 for adults, $10 for children 14 and under, and includes some bait and a few lures. Prizes awarded for three heaviest fish. Fish fry and jambalaya fee follow the weigh in. Call the shop for directions (813) 641-3662.
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