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Tampa Bay - Saltwater
Capt. Matt Ercoli
April 25, 2001
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
How are you doing fellow outdoorsmen? It's been a little while since the last report, fishing just keeps me too busy! I hope you're having a good time on the water. I know you guys from way up north ought to be getting out there by now and enjoying the beautiful weather. Fishing has been quite well for me. Cobia have been my mainstay the past couple of weeks, with some real nice ones on light line making for real trophies. The largest was a 45 pounder caught on 10-pound test in two feet of water while sight fishing, what a spectacular moment. That particular day we boated seven cobia, only one was less than 40 inches, man what a day! All of the fish which we caught sight fishing were taken on 10-LB test. That was my best day on cobia, I have had so many over 40 inches in the last couple of weeks I have lost count. Almost every charter has had a fish over 25 pounds. I don't know how long this will last but for now it's some spectacular fishing. Yesterday we lost three cobia on the fly in the 15 to 20 pound class.
The snook fishing is still holding strong. I havn't been catching the amount of keepers we had previously, partly because I have not been spending as much time fishing for them.
Redfishing is still slow. I'm not sure why, even with our higher tides I still haven't been able to find good concentrations of them.
The trout fishing has still been good, although I haven't been spending a lot of time chasing them. There are a lot of 17 to 20 inchers out there on the bite. I have been spending a few days offshore fishing for kingfish. It's still holding strong with a lot of fish in the 10 to 15 pound class.
Spanish mackerel are all over the reefs and the hard fighting little tunny are also beginning to show up.
Tarpon are still available and it won't be long before the traditional beach run starts.
If you are interested in beach tarpon and permit for June and July you best get on the stick, dates are filling up quick and that is some of the hottest fishing of the year.
June and July- Permit, Tarpon, little Tunny, Giant Sharks & Monster Jacks.
We are still catching snook, redfish and trout, but when you want something that will snatch the reel off your rod, beach and near-offshore fishing is as exciting as it gets for light tackle and fly fisherman.
Faithful Readers- Check out my feature article on "Off Shore Fly Fishing" in the May issue of Florida Sportsman magazine.
Good fishing and we will catch you on the water.
Captain Matt Ercoli
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