Tampa Bay Inshore Summer Fishing Report
Capt. Sean Goddard
July 12, 2016
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Hot weather is a reason stay hydrated
Tampa Bay inshore fishing has been good to slow due to hot weather. The lack of thunderstorms is causing high water temps and high salinity in the bay. The fish have been sluggish and slow to bite in the later part of the day. The best time to fish is early morning and after sundown. If you are fishing during the hottest part of the day make sure you have plenty of water and electrolyte drinks and are staying hydrated. I always keep a litre of pedialyte in the cooler for emergency hydration if needed.
Snapper are all over Tampa Bay
The mangrove snapper bite is hot in Tampa bay larger fish are being caught in the shipping channels. I am finding some good-sized fish being caught on the flats and in the mangroves as well. The ten fish limit is easily being caught providing one of the best eating meals you will have. I use small shrimp or small greenbacks on a 1/0 circle hook. I look for structure like rock piles, bridges or artificial reefs and will chum them at first. Drop your bait down into the chum line and be ready for a quick sharp hit. You have to be fast with snapper they are very good at stealing your bait.
Trout are in the deeper water
Trout fishing has been pretty good on the deeper areas of the flats. I am finding them in four to six feet of water. Live shrimp free lined seems to be producing the best results so far. I am using a medium to large shrimp and working the potholes on the flats. I look for smaller potholes surrounded by good healthy grass. This is also a good tactic to find summer redfish. Both fish like to hide in the grass on the edges and ambush their prey.
Tampa Bay inshore fishing for Snook
I have found pretty good numbers of Snook along the mangroves and shorelines of Tampa Bay. I use pilchards for Snook and I am catching some good-sized fish along the deeper cuts in the mangroves. I like to focus on the shadow lines around the mangroves. You will want to fish early in the morning or in the evening for your best chance at a trophy sized fish. Snook season is closed so you will need to take care when releasing them. The warm water can stress Snook out and extra time reviving the fish maybe necessary for a safe release.
Nearshore
Spanish Mackerel fishing has been good recently. I have had better years but I am still catching good numbers of fish. They are good-sized and healthy and are feeding well in the deeper water. I have had my best success with large shrimp free lined and cut greenbacks. I look for large schools of bait near range marker and artificial reefs to find the fish. Once I find them I will begin to chum with cut bait to get them into a frenzy.
In addition to the mackerel I have seen a lot of big Jack Crevalle working the local artificial reefs. Jacks are a hard fighting fish and I will target them when I have kids on the charter. Jacks will take most baits thrown to them and are very easy to catch for this reason it is a great target for kids joing us on our Tampa Bay inshore Fishing charters.
To Summarize
Fishing in the heat of summer can be at times frustrating or productive. Time of day is critical when planning your trip. Hydration is a very real and serious concern and needs to be at the forefront of your plan. Pick the right time and the right spot and you will have a good day out on the water.
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