Typical Winter Fishing
Capt. Fred Everson
February 26, 2009
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
More typical winter weather this week made for slow fishing on Southshore Tampa Bay. Capt. Danny Guarino told me he caught a single snook in the Little Manatee River this week, and a few trout on the flats in front of Cockroach Bay. He said there was no bait to be had on the flats yet. That probably won't change until water temps come up a bit. Currently the average water temperature in the Gulf is at 62 degrees. Until it gets up near 70 degrees, things will stay the same.
This is a good time of year to sleep in and fish in the afternoon. This gives the sun some time to warm the water a bit. Redfish will be more active in the afternoons, regardless of tide. Water clarity is excellent and with clear skies it makes for ideal conditions for spotting fish. The down side is that the fish can see you, too. You need to make long, accurate casts to catch fish in clear shallow water.
Sheepshead are currently spawning in the middle of the bay. You can find them on the artificial reefs at Port Manatee and Bahia Beach, and over hard bottom. They also hold in some of the deeper holes and passes on the Southshore flats. Live shrimp and fiddler crabs are the preferred baits, as sheepshead are not susceptible to artificials.
Silver trout are another winter staple on Tampa Bay. They like the warm water around the power plant in Apollo Beach and will readily strike a small jig. There is no size limit on these tasty saltwater panfish.
I haven't seen a cobia in weeks, but look for them to start showing up on the flats soon. They usually travel in pairs, and like to trail big eagle rays. They are usually willing but the smaller fish always seems to beat the big fish to the bait.
Visit the captain's website at Tampabayfishingguide.com, or phone him at 813 830 8890.
Tampa Bay Fishing Forecast:
Look for things to begin heating up this week as the water warms. Redfish will become more active in the afternoon.
Target Species:
Redfish Sheepshead Shark
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