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Tampa Bay - Saltwater
Capt. Matt Ercoli
September 7, 2001
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Snook season is now finally here. It seems that despite the heat, we are still able to find decent fishing for them. We have had a few days this past week when we managed 15 or so snook. That's pretty good considering we have been spending the majority of our time offshore.
The redfishing is not too bad as well. I haven't specifically targeted redfish since snook season has opened, but most days we manage a few keepers while fishing for snook. Most of the redfish are falling between 23 to 26 inches, perfect for a grill.
Keeper size trout are also beginning to pick up. Even though I haven't been looking for them either, we are catching quite a few keepers on the incoming tides in the morning while fishing for snook.
So basically our mornings have been spent on the flats and the afternoon in a free for all of shore.
The offshore fishing has been absolutely unbelievable as far as fast action goes. I can honestly say that it is as fast as you can put a bait in the water. Cobia, huge jack cravell, and little tunny. The biggest problem with catching these drag screamers is keeping your bait in the water without hooking up with a Spanish mackerel. Almost all the Spanish mackerel are falling between 22 and 25 inches and we have been catching a couple each trip in the 28-inch class.
After boating a few Spanish or little tunny, it's time to drop them down on a heavy line for a Goliath grouper up to 500 pounds, or a black tip, bull, or hammerhead shark. Three days ago I had a 12-ft. hammerhead come up to the boat. We couldn't get him to bite but I can only imagine the battle if he had. Pretty neat to see him anyhow.
As for those of you that are interested in fly-fishing the time could not be any better, especially for the mackerel, little tunny, and jacks. Each of these species is a sucker for flies and I promise you won't be disappointed with the way they pull. Pound for pound I would rate all them as strong fish, but the little tunny as the strongest fish that swims the sea as far as know.
Hoped you have enjoyed my report, the forecast looks good and should do nothing but get better as fall approaches. Good luck fishing.
Captain Matt Ercoli
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