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Tampa Bay - Saltwater
Capt. Matt Ercoli
September 25, 2006
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Well fall is finally here, my favorite time of the year. We actually had some nice cool fall like weather a few days ago to go along with its arrival. It’s warming back up this week according to the weather report, but with less humidity, which is classic weather for early fall. Inevitably the wind will begin to creep out of the north occasionally cooling us downs a bit. The great thing is, there's nothing like a dry mid 70-degree day on clear flats catching snook and redfish mixed together. Along with the weather and great fishing I also like the fact that it’s probably the lightest amount of fishing pressure of the year. The snowbirds haven’t shown yet and most of the locals are out hunting. During the weekdays I sometime feel as if we are one of the only boats out there.
So let’s get down so business. The snook fishing has been good with lots of small fish as usual, but we are starting to see larger ones in that 30-inch class range with a few larger ones. No monsters lately but the larger snook fishing will only get better from here as the water begins to cool.
Redfishing has been superb, even though this is typically the best time of year for them, I would have to say it’s definitely an above average year for them. There are large school in many locations. The reds have been ranging in all sizes from 17 inch right on up to 40 plus inches. It seems that some of the larger roaming schools are really packing some whoppers this year. One of my fellow charter captains told me yesterday that they had a 44 incher out of one of the schools we have been fishing. That’s one heck of a battle on 10-pound test. In many of the schools 25 to 34 inches is real common right now.
As for other fish, it’s really good news as it seems like trout are coming back pretty strong. I have been targeting them a little bit lately for an hour or two per day just to mix up the day and get a little meat in the boat. The bite has been good and seems to be getting better. We are getting a number of keepers in the 16 to 20 inch class along with a lot of shorts which is a really good sign for the future.
Snook, redfish and trout are making up the bulk of the catch right now on the flats with a few large jacks, mackerel and lady fish mixed in for some added action.
As for offshore, I really haven’t been fooling with much lately. As soon as the kings show up I will let everyone know. I think it will be around the end of Oct. or so. Nothing like a chum slick full of smoker kings, powerful tunny, and Spanish mackerel. I’m sure to be out there if the fall run is anything like the spring one was.
Well I hope you have enjoyed my report. Let me know if you would like to get out with me on one our fine fall days. Until next time, keep casting and keep those drags screaming.
Capt. Matt
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