Fishing Reports by Capt. Dustin Hilliard

Reliable Redfish - The redfish bite has been consistent on high to high outgoing tides in and around mangroves, oyster bars and some on the beaches. The redfish can be found hanging around schools of mullet. The baits of choice are white bait, shrimp and 1/4 ounce ji more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay

Beat the Heat Early - Wow, it's hot outside! Getting started early always helps you from melting and the fish have been more active early. As the sun comes up in the sky and as the tides begin to rise, everything starts to hide under the mangroves in the shade. Getting more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay

Rains Change Salinity & Clarity - Crazy rainy weather we have had last week or so. It's changing the salinity especially around where the rivers run out into the ocean some of the areas like Anclote River and Cotter River where the rivers come out the water is black making it imposs more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay

Summer Snook Bite - The snook bite has been very good to excellent on the outgoing tides. Where you find moving water on the beaches and in the passes, you will find feeding snook. At times, the bite activity can be crazy! On average, the size of fish being caught ar more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay

Fishing is on Fire! - Tampa bay fishing is on fire! Redfish bite has been best on high tides on points, bars and mangroves. Trout has been consistent on live bait in 4 to 10 ft. Snook bite has been best when you have moving water using big pinfish, greenies and Lady fish. more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay

Cast into the Shadows for Redfish - A late season cold front dropped temperatures a bit and it has scattered the bait in some areas. The redfish bite has been best on a high tide under mangroves. The shadow line has been key as some fish just won't come venture out much to eat your b more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay

Snook, Trout and Cobia - April's one of my favorite months to fish, weathers not too hot, but the fishing is. Snook are moving out in droves to area bridges, passes and beaches. These fish are ready to eat and white bait has been the go-to bait on a 2/0 circle hooks, with more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay

Snook & Trout Hungry, Tarpon & Kingfish Almost Here - From New Port Richey to St. Petersburg, Spring is here and bait is everywhere. With water temperatures rising into the 70's, it's telling the fish it's time to eat. The Snook bite has been great with them coming out in droves from their winter Ta more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay

Amberjack Bite Good - The amberjack bite has been good in 60+ feet of water. Live bait has been best - Pinfish, grunts on knocker rigs or a fast moving butterfly jig will get their attention. There's been some nice hogfish caught on shrimp in 30 ft. and out. Red more...
Capt. Dustin Hilliard - Tampa Bay