October 2013 - Let's Go Fishing In Tampa Bay - Capt. Woody Gore
Capt. Woody Gore
October 4, 2013
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
If August and September are any indication of what's to come for the fall fishing season it should be excellent. The fish have been eating almost everything offered to them and we're certainly doing more catching than fishing. This is a great time to fish as late summer and early fall temperatures start dropping; it makes it more tolerable on the fish and most of all the anglers. If you want to catch a few fish like snook, redfish, trout, snapper, grouper, or sharks now is the time to do it; just "Give Me a Call and Let's Go Fishing" to make reservations for a charter, visit my website at www.captainwoodygore.com or email me at [email protected].
On recent trips, especially after the tide has slowed after the turn; we've been catching some really nice sea trout on the deeper hard bottom grass flats. Many times when you catch one there will several in the same sand hole surrounded by lush grass. We've been having our success on smaller pilchard's, and small dollar sized pinfish; but remember live medium shrimp always work. I nose hook my pinfish and pilchard's and the shrimp in the carapace just under the horn, but very shallow. Depending on the depth something I use a popping cork sometimes not.
While checking an inshore reef southeast of St. Pete Pier, we noticed schooling tarpon feeding on a giant bait schools. Of course I hadn't brought any tarpon gear and did not have any live or dead bait; I never expected to find what I'd stumbled upon unable to withstand the pressure to fish this large school
of fish I decided to attempt it, if for no other reason than the fun of having getting a few jumps. I secured my deepest sinking artificial lure in the box a MirrOLure Catch 5 and began casting toward the schooling fish. To make a two-hour story short I jumped five tarpon and landed one nice cobia. Unfortunately, I lost every MirrOlure in the boat, but man… what a tarpon ride on artificial lures.
As for the rest of Tampa Bay; Redfish and Snook are everywhere hanging around the many lush grass flats and mangrove shorelines. As redfish move form area to area scourging for food it's usually easy to find them schooled up on the many grass flats or humping water as they move. It's also the time of the year when the really big reds show up. You never know whether you're going to a catch one in the slot or one of the giants over 30 inches. These big reds often top the scales at 15 plus pounds. The upper bay area is also holding good numbers of fish, but you must pick your tide days when fishing north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway especially by larger boats. This area can get extremely shallow on low during low tide, so fish the higher tides with live pilchard's or shrimp under a small cork.
Snook are open to harvest from (September 1, but will close December 1 through the end of February; it will also close on May 1 through August 31 on the gulf coast). (The new slot limits of 28 inches to 33 inches). With most of the snook being caught averaging in the 22 to 25 inch range it's often tough to put a slot fish in the boat. But if you work at it, you'll catch one or two especially as fall approaches. We did catch one or two in the 29 to 35 inch range using live greenbacks. For those who like the night life associated with snook fishing, this is great time. You'll find them hanging under residential docks watching the light line for a quick meal. Use a shallow diving artificial lure or free-line a big shrimp. Make sure to use a weighty leader like Seaguar 30-40 lb., so you don't get cut off on the pilings.
As for the others, we've been catching good sized mangrove/grey snapper at the bridges with some topping out around 3 pounds (remember they are a reef fish and you must use circle hooks and they must be 12" total length). Cobia are showing and for us it usually only takes a chum bag over the side to spark their curiosity. If you hook-up, be ready with another rod and bait as other cobias will be following the action. Mackerel, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish are feeding on bait schools everywhere. If its glass minnows they're after remember to match the hatch.
"Give Me a Call & Let's Go Fishing" – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore is the area's top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.
Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it's done. Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to [email protected] or give him a call at 813-477-3814.
Tampa Bay Fishing Forecast:
The Forecast for fishing looks very promising for the fall. Especially for live, dead and artificial lures.
Target Species:
Snook, Redfish, Trout, Cobia, Tarpon, Triple Tail, Sheepshead, Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper, Bluefish, Sharks,
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