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Tampa Bay - South Shore
Capt. Fred Everson
May 5, 2004
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Southshore Tampa Bay Fishing Report
Six weeks of wind and March type weather that has carried into May is depressing. Fishing continues to be tough because of the conditions, but there is some good fishing to be had. The bright spot this year has been the size and the number of redfish. Big reds have been on the flats and in the mangrove passes between the mouth of the Alafia River and the south cut at Joe Island. Finding exactly where they are in the wind and chop is the glitch.
Capt. Chet Jennings is reporting some action on tarpon when the wind permits. Tampa Bay Tarpon this time of year often exceed 100 pounds, and you don’t have to rub gunwales with other boats to get at them.
Capt. Nick Winger of Apollo Beach reports steady action on redfish. Winger specializes in fishing cut baits in the shadow line of the mangroves at high tide. Because many of the fish are near or over the top of the 18-27 inch slot, he employs stout rods and 30 pound Fireline. If the fish takes six feet of drag here, you’re going to get broke off.
Spanish mackerel bite has been good. We had a very windy day for the Catch and Release in a Pot of Hot Grease Mackerel Tournament, but enough were caught to feed everybody. Capt. Danny Guarino took first place, Gary Cooley took Second, and Vic Stephens took third. We had 21 anglers in the event, and everyone seemed to be surprised at how good fresh mackerel can taste when properly cared for.
The next tournament at Shell Point Bait and Tackle in Ruskin is a catch and release event for fly fishermen targeting redfish. The date is set for Sunday May 23, and redfish will be the target species. Call the bait shop (813) 641-3662 for more information, or check us out at Tampabayfishingguide.com. Tournament stuff will be posted on the bottom of the web page.
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