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Tampa Bay - Saltwater
Capt. Matt Ercoli
April 3, 2004
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
So far it has been a typical March, pretty much as good as it gets. The snook are definitely the prime target for most of my fisherman with average catches of 25 to 45 per day. Some fish approach the 40inch class, it’s easy to see why they are the most popular sport fish in these parts. Most of the fish are running in the 22 to 30 inch class with a few larger lunkers each week. They have been my most consistent fishing this past month for light tackle and fly fisherman alike. Some of my single fly fishernman have boated over 20 in a day.
Tarpon fishing is also in full swing. Yesterday was my first shot at them for 2004 and we boated a 150 pounder by 10:00 am. Not to mention three fat grouper, all around 27 to 29 inches, while fishing for tarpon that left us plenty of time to run inside for another 20 snook or so. I only had one fisherman and he was pretty worn out by 2:00 pm so we called it an early full day and headed back to the dock. Congratulations to Erick Miller from Rochester, New York for battling and landing his trophy tarpon in under a half-hour on 17-pound test. I like short battles like that; it's much less traumatic on the tarpon and make it much easy for good live releases.
As for other fish, we are also catching a few nice redfish mixed in with the snook. Most of the reds are in the 24 to 27 inch class. Good eating size.
Fat trout have also been mixed in with other fish, and we have been taking a few 20 plus inchers most days.
Cobia have just begun to show and I should have more reports on them later in the week, I have been seeing a few cruising the flats over 40 pounds.
I have yet to head outside to chase the kingfish but should by the end of the week, you can bet I will be out there chasing those line screamers when they show in fishable numbers. Many of the places I fish I catch kingfish, tuna, grouper and goliath grouper all in the same places. It makes for some of the most exciting fishing I do all year on conventional tackle or fly is you prefer. The kings range up to almost 50 pounds, the little tunny 8 to 15 pounds, the gag grouper up to 20 pounds and the goliath grouper are 200 to 500 pounds. We also catch a number of sharks mixed in the smorgasbord.
Well I hope you have enjoyed the report and I still have a few days left for spring fishing. Remember prime tarpon season is right around the corner. May, June and July are the very best months to plan your trip.
Good luck and tight lines!
Capt. Matt Ercoli
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