South Tampa Bay Fishing Reports
Capt. Little Jim Fesperman
August 11, 2010
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
South Tampa Bay Fishing Report
It was a busy week of charters as the air and water temperatures are on the rise into the mid to high 90's causing the fishing to get better every day. Strong winds are limiting the fishing locations and species we can target on any given day.
Tuesday, fishing with U.S. Army SGM. Joe Sanchez and his wife Carmen, as part of "Operation Open Arms". SGM. Joe or his wife had never experienced inshore saltwater fishing. Although the wind blew a good 15+ knots we were able to get several nice redfish including a 31"for Joe however his wife bagged a 34" redfish to take honors for the day. We also hooked and landed the first rod and reel from Davie Jones locker of the year, a nice Penn spinning combo.
Thursday, was the "birthday trip". For his 40th birthday John's wife surprised him with a fishing charter, John and his good buddy Mike had a great day on the water. While the wind blew we did catch a mixed bag of fish. Included were fat beautiful trout, big mac's a very big sheepshead, undersize grouper and two over the slot redfish.
Friday was rescheduled to the following week due to wind blowing a little too strong.
Saturday the wind was blowing out of the south again 10 to 14 knots. Paul one of my regular customers who had flown in from Lincoln Neb. just to fish with me on Saturday and was flying home on Sunday morning so it was a go despite the wind. We started the day loading the live well with two throws of the net at my favorite bait spot. First stop produced no grouper so we stopped at one of my best snook spots and proceeded to load up on big fat trout and a mac or two but no snook. We made a run outside to a cobia spot but the water was rough and dirty so we came back in shore to look for grouper. Bingo, on the first pass we landed the second rod and reel of the year this time it was a Shakespeare combo. Paul then landed a very nice grouper and a couple of shorts. We entered Tarpon key along with the all the other boats and were able to land a few redfish and fat trout to end the day.
P.s. It is a constant amazement to me how many boaters can't read don't read, just clueless or worst yet just don't care about the sea grass beds and disregard Tarpon Key being a no-combustion zone. On Saturday the FWC and Sheriff issued fines of at least $93.00 each to five boats in less one hour.
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