 |
Tampa Bay - South Shore
Capt. Fred Everson
April 2, 2005
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Just when the snook were turning on, yet another cold front passed over Tampa Bay last night. Up to that point the fishing had been pretty good. The snook bite was hotter than a firecracker for a few days. All the charter captains fishing out of Shell Point Bait and Tackle in Ruskin were reporting steady action on snook with more keepers than usual in the mix.
That brought several guides into discussion at the shop one afternoon about reducing the pressure on snook. Among the things discussed were a total closure on snook, making them catch and release only for a couple years to allow the population to expand. But the idea that garnered most support around the table was a proposal to limit guides’ catch to one snook per boat. Since fishing guides’ clients probably kill way more snook than recreational anglers, this could be a palatable proposal for most. Many of my clients don’t care about keeping fish, and I simply don’t fish those whose mission is to fill a cooler.
Most guides would welcome anything that would improve the size of snook and increase their numbers. Recreational anglers would not be affected, other than they would have a better chance of catching an occasional keeper. As it now stands, my guess is that for every hundred snook caught, fewer than two fall in the 26 to 34 inch slot. Capt. Chet Jennings has taken the bull by the horns and put the proposal to FWC and the Florida Guides Association. It remains to be seen if anything can be done.
Tarpon are in the bay and on the Southshore flats. So too are Spanish mackerel, and reports from the mouth of the bay are that they are plentiful and big. On an outing with Capt. Chet Jennings we saw a few tarpon, and a single cobia, despite it being a little too choppy to see well. We also spotted a few big snook, and some redfish.
The mackerel got here just in time for the first Catch and Release in a Pot of Hot Grease Mackerel tournament at Shell Point Bait and Tackle in Ruskin. Entry fee is $25 for adults, $10 for kids 13 and under. The first event will take place Sunday April 10 – Captain’s meeting at 9:00 AM, and weigh in prior to 3:30 PM. Prizes will be awarded for three heaviest Spanish mackerel, and the entry fee includes a selection of mackerel tackle, a fish fry and jambalaya feed. For more information, call the shop at (813) 641 3662.
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
