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Tampa Bay - Saltwater
Capt. Matt Ercoli
December 5, 2002
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Well I know it's been a while since a fishing report but with Thanksgiving and all it's been very busy, plus I took a little vacation to
do some deer hunting with my dad. Yes, if you are wondering, I got a nice eight-pointer. Everyone always asks what do you do on
vacation when you're a fulltime fishing guide, well there's your answer, I love to sit in the woods and observe nature.
Now for the fishing conditions, we are still in wintertime conditions, I believe it will stay that way with water temps where they are until
February, but you never know. I'm still having some good days on snook, although the consistency has dropped off a bit now that their
metabolism as slowed. I found some nice schools of redfish and had a few pretty good days on them. Most of the fish are not large
though, I would say averaging between 18 and 24 inches, still good fighters on light tackle and equally good to eat. I'm also catching
piles of trout of all sizes, literally till we get tired of reeling them in. They always like to bite well in mid 60-degree water.
We are also catching a few pompano in the 2 to 3-pound class, great fighters and even better to eat. The sheepshead are moving in and
some with good sizes up to 5 pounds. They should only get better from here on as the water cools. Black-drum fishing has also been a
productive mix with the sheepshead, most are in the 5 to 8 pound class, but we have boated a few up to 12 pounds. Smaller black-drum
of this size also makes for some great eating.
I'm also catching a few grouper, snapper and flounder. As many of the offshore bottom dwellers move into the bay we always catch a
few of them when targeting other fish.
Well, that pretty much sums it up, that's what's going on for now. If you're looking for a fishing trip or heading this way for Christmas
give me a call, I still have a few days left. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and looking forward to a nice Christmas too.
Capt. Matt Ercoli
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