Tampa Bay Fishing Report May
Capt. Jared Simonetti
May 22, 2015
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
May Fishing has been Awesome. I haven't had much time to write reports has most of my time has been spent Tarpon Fishing, and the Tarpon bite has been really good! Snook and Redfish are still providing consistent action as well, and Black Drum, Pompano, and Snapper have also been viable targets around the bay bridges.
Tarpon fishing has been my main focus as of the beginning of May. Tarpon have been abundant on the gulf beaches from Clearwater beach south. The major pass around the mouth of Tampa Bay have been holding large numbers of fish, especially around the New and Full moon. Live crabs, threadfin herring, and large sardines have been the baits of choices. Free-lined baits or baits fished under corks with 5-6' of 60-80 lb. Leader rigged with a 5/0 hook has been the rig of choice. Look for fish to been cruising the beaches early in the morning before the sea breeze picks up. Tarpon Fishing will remain outstanding throughout the summer. I still have a few days left open in June if you want to get in on the action!
Snook fishing has been good from the backwaters to the beaches. Most of the Snook have pushed out of the backwaters and have made their way into the passes or along the gulf beaches. Most of the Snook in these areas have been bigger fish between 25-35". Live pinfish, grunts, and sardines are the baits of choice in these areas fished either free-lined or with a small weight on the bottom. Bucktail jigs and suspending jerkbaits such as bombers or Yo-zuri's will also produce good numbers of fish. Snook fishing is best either early in the morning or in the evening as the water isn't as hot. Look for the action to peak around the new and full moon when the tides are stronger.
Redfish have been around and there has been a few schools of large over-slot fish. Most of the fish have been around the south shore area out to the mouth of the bay. Cut bait has been the bait of choice for me. Cut thredfin, pinfish, or ladyfish are working the best. Fishes these baits on a 2/0 circle hook and a 20lb leader in and around the mullet schools for your best shot a big red!
Around the bay bridges black drum have shown up along with Pompano and mangrove snapper. Jigging pompano jigs around the pillings will produce both Pompano and black drum, but for a sure fire way to get a big black drum it is hard to beat half a blue crab on the bottom. Snapper have also been around the pillings and are will to take small white baits or live shrimp. Use a small knocker rig with a #1 hook when snapper fishing. The bridge fishing will only get better as it gets hotter.
Capt. Jared Simonetti
727-831-0111
www.CaptJared.com
[email protected]
Target Species:
Tarpon, Redfish, Snook
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