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Tampa Bay - South Shore
Capt. Fred Everson
September 28, 2004
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Southshore Tampa Bay Report
Southshore Tampa Bay Fishing Report for September 28, 2004
Hurricanes have dominated the local fishing scene for the past six weeks, and there has not been much to report. Fishing has been slow due to the poor water conditions, and hopefully, that will change in the coming weeks.
Up until the arrival of Hurricane Charley, good catches of redfish were routine on the Southshore of the bay. Indeed, 2004 has been the best year for reds that I’ve seen in 10 years of guiding. The fish are still here, they are just harder to get at, and when I’ve found them, they have been difficult to entice.
Snook fishing will also pick up once the water temperature stabilizes. Snook don’t feed when temps drop, and the influx of freshwater due to heavy rains associated with the storms has made the bite less than fickle. That too should change. I’m seeing lots of snook, and more big fish than in years past. The one fish limit and the 34 inch cap on the West Coast are working. All we need is a decent stretch of good weather.
Cobia should also be on the agenda in the coming weeks. Late September through early December often finds the big ling on the flats. I had a great November last year with cobia, catching fish in the 40 pound class in shallow water on Berkley Power Eels on RipTide jig heads. I don’t know why they are so aggressive to eels – I’ve never seen one in Tampa Bay, but so it is.
Tripletail are also an option in the fall months. They hang on structure such as channel buoys and crab trap floats. They will readily eat small pinfish, live and plastic shrimp, and bucktails.
Let’s hope we are out of the woods so far as tropical storms are concerned. Come December 01, I think I will throw a party at Shell Point Bait and Tackle.
Shell Point Bait and Tackle will host a catch and release tournament on October 24. For the skinny call the shop at 813 641 3662
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