Tampa Bay Tarpon Are Back!
Capt. TJ Stewart
April 20, 2009
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
The million dollar question has been answered! The tarpon are finally here, and they are big. After fishing for tarpon on a handful of trips, we finally hooked several. The first tarpon that we hooked weighed over 175lbs. Unfortunately, the large fish managed to break the line so we didn't get it to the boat. However, we did get a 125 lb tarpon. A 125lb tarpon for the first tarpon boated this season is not bad if I must say so myself.
Although the weather was a bit cooler and a bit windy last week, it didn't slow the snook and red fish bite down. We did have to fish for them in really shallow water though. We also caught them in the river, where the water was warmer. As usual, when the water temperature was above 70 degrees, the redfish bite was great. Otherwise, we had to work for it. The snook bite remained good right through the cool weather and wind. When the wind is howling, it is best to fish in spots where you're out of the wind. For example, if you're fishing in the river and there is a north wind, you need to stay on the north side of the river. It appears that we are going to have cooler days in the future so the fish are going to stay in shallow water.
If we haven't caught the keeper snook or red fish, we sure have made up for it with the trout. Trout fishing has been excellent. All the bait has moved in the Bay and really turned the trout on. As long as the water temperature remains above 68 degrees, the bait should remain in the Bay and the trout fishing should remain good. Please visit www.castawaychartersinc.com and book your trip today!
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