Wind and Cold Fronts in May?
Capt. Fred Everson
May 19, 2008
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
The wind finally died down to manageable mid week, and the fishing was pretty good. I had my canoe out early one morning in front of Sand Key, just south of the Little Manatee River and I saw quite a few snook and redfish, but they didn't want anything I threw at them. I attribute that to a lazy tide that didn't move much water. Snook especially like lots of current. That will change early this week as we approach the full moon on Wednesday.
I crossed the bay a few days ago with James Johnigan of Plant City and we caught some keeper sized trout off Pinellas Point. We also saw several schools of mackerel thrashing bait on the surface, so I rigged two chrome spoons on 60 pound monofilament leaders for the trip back. I had identical rods rigged with identical lures. One rod caught three fish while the other never got a bump, despite fish boiling all around the boat. I cut the unproductive lure off and tossed it overboard.
The three fish we put in the cooler and they choked up lots of tiny glass minnows. When mackerel are feeding on such small baits, they can become single minded about what they will eat. When mackerel are eating glass minnows, you need to present something similar in size or shape – a small streamer fly or a 1/16th ounce diamond jig, or perhaps a pompano jig.
The wind was blowing again on Friday when I fished with Capt. Tom Rinehart. We tried Little Cockroach Bay first, fishing cut bait on Rip Tide jig heads for redfish on the rising tide, but didn't get a bite. Then we went all the way to Joe Island in a two foot chop with similar results; a long bumpy ride for nothing but practice.
The good news is that there is bait on the range markers and also on the flats on both sides of the bay.
You can visit the captain's website at Tampabayfishingguide.com for charter info, or phone him at 813 830 8890.
Tampa Bay Fishing Forecast:
Full moon tides will move lots of water the next few days, but the wind will continue to blow. Fish the strong falling tides for snook and trout, and the low rise for redfish
Target Species:
Redfish, trout, Spanish mackerel, shark, tarpon.
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