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Tampa Bay - Saltwater
Capt. Matt Ercoli
September 26, 2002
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fall is in the air, I can feel it as I cruise across the flats early in the morning on my way to catch bait. Low humidity and a light early morning breeze out of the east is tell-tell signs that it is right around the corner. I can?t wait, not that there is anything wrong with summer, it?s just hard to beat the perfect mild temperatures of the fall.
Now for the reason why you are really here, how is the fishing? Most of my days are spent on the flats chasing snook and redfish. Redfish are right on track for a typical September/October pattern. We are catching keeper?s everyday, along with over sized fish in the 28 to 34 inch class. They are great fighters, especially in the shallow water we are taking them in. I had a few days this past week where my guys actually gave up reeling them in. Having triple hook-ups of redfish that size for a couple hours straight can be quite tiring. We had a few days where we boated nearly 30 over sized reds, talk about tangled fishing lines. October should be equally as good for redfish.
As for snook fishing, we are still catching between 10 and 15 per day, not as many as we where catching earlier this month. No worries though, as soon as they move into their fall pattern it will pick up significantly, especially in size. October and November are traditionally great months for snook, both are great months for a real trophy snook over 20 pounds.
Trout fishing on the flats has picked up too, although we aren?t targeting them much I have a few spots where we can make a quick stop for some nice keepers if you?re in need of a few extra fillets.
Offshore fishing has been quite well for us lately. The last few tropical storms have blow in hoards of little tunny and Spanish mackerel. So many, I kid you not, on the best days we caught some on a bare hook. A few handfuls of chum over the side of the boat and the water literally came alive with fish. For you fisherman from up north the best way to describe it is like going to a trout farm and throwing a hand-full of fish pellets into the water. Most of the Spanish are good size, 20 to 24 inches with a few larger. All the little tunny are between 8 and 15 pounds. There are a few cobia out there, the only problem is getting a bait to them before a tunny or Spanish snags it. The offshore fishing is especially fun for my fly anglers, even a first time fly angler can catch fish offshore right now.
Well that?s about it, October should be similar to this report other than the number and size of the snook will pick up and maybe the kings will start to show in fishable numbers.
Hope you have enjoyed my report, Good luck on the water and give a call if you are interested in a charter.
Capt Matt Ercoli
1-800-521 2872
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