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Tampa Bay - South Shore
Capt. Fred Everson
April 12, 2005
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Cold fronts and wind continue to make fishing in April feel a lot like March. Water temperature continues to fluctuate, and that’s made for a slower bite than what you might expect for this month.
The good news is there are plenty of fish in the bay, and on the good days when it’s warm with light winds, the snook have been tearing it up. We are seeing way more slot sized fish on the cleaning table as compared to the past two years. That’s either an indication of a healthy snook population or increased fishing pressure or perhaps a little of both.
Trout fishing is about as good as it gets, and we are seeing some big fish coming out of Cockroach Bay. The redfish bite has been slower. I fished with my friend Keli yesterday on a rising tide and found a few snook and reds, but they were scattered. The wind was blowing hard out of the East in the morning, so we hung along the mangroves sight casting to a few snook and reds. We tried all the proven lures – RipTide jerk baits, Mirrolures, and jigs, but never drew a strike. Nor did we ever see or hear a pop in the mangroves as the tide came up. Things should improve as the water continues to warm.
I’ve had a few reports of cobia sightings, but that fishery is nothing like it should be this time of year. I’ve spent some time looking for them on the flats the past two weeks and have only seen one.
Spanish mackerel are here, and there are some 4 to 5 pound fish in the mix, but so far they are still hanging near the mouth of the bay. We had 19 anglers turn out for our Catch and Release in a Pot of Hot Grease tournament, and they caught enough fish to feed everyone. Paul Platt of Ruskin caught the heaviest fish, and Capt. Billy Jordan had second place on the same boat. A fish fry and jambalaya feed followed the weigh in. The next mackerel tournament is scheduled for May 22 – same format.
I will be hosting a Cobia/Tripletail Seminar at Shell Point Bait and Tackle on Sunday, April 24 at 4:00 PM. Call the bait shop for directions or information at (813) 641-3662.
Or visit my website at Tampabayfishingguide.com.
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