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Tampa Bay - Saltwater
Capt. Matt Ercoli
January 27, 2002
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
I?m sorry for the delay of the fishing report, I wanted to wait and see what this week would bring. I guess the big question I?ve been asking myself was how warm could the water possibly get. Could water on the flats approach 75 degree in January? Well yesterday I found it. I would have to say that we have started the beginning of our spring fishery. With next week predictions of even warmer weather, it looks like the idea of an early spring is here to stay for a while. This is the mildest winter I can ever remember and without a doubt the warmest water temps I have ever recorded this time of year. Believe it or not, with water temps where they are, it won?t be long before we have some very consistent tarpon fishing. If the water keeps warming, we might be fishing for them before the middle of February.
I have just started my early season sight fishing for snook on the flats. I think that in the next few weeks we will be producing good numbers of them. When last years water temps were where they currently are, we where averaging between 25 and 45 fish per day. Some days exceeded 50 to 60 and most of the fish were in the 22 to 28 inch range. I have already seen a few monters beginning to creep out on the flats.
We are starting to catch a few more nice size redfish, another sign that things are fixing to explode. Most of the redfish are running in the 23 to 26 inch class. The water is very clear now and they are skittish, but a careful approach is all it takes.
The trout fishing has also been very good. Although I haven?t been targeting them very much, we have been catching several keepers each day in the 16 to 22 inch class during our quest for snook and redfish. I have been hitting one spot nearly everyday on my way in for the last hour or so and literally are catching them on nearly every cast. Even my fly fisherman are catching them that fast.
Speaking of fly fisherman, this is it if you want to catch a snook on that 7 or 8 weight. Cast to him, then watch him turn and explode on it. It?s happening now.
I?ve also been seeing a few cobia cruise around from high above the water in my tower, it shouldn?t be long before we have a fishable number of those 20 to 50 pounders cruising the shallow clear flats.
Well, hope you have enjoyed my report, we are fast approaching some exciting fishing. Good luck on the water if you?re heading out on your own, or drop me a line if you would like to come along with me.
Capt. Matt Ercoli
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