Tampa Bay Area Fishing Reports
Captain Charles Walker
5/17/04
Unfortunately I don’t have anything to report because of the winds over the last couple of weeks. I guess I’m just getting too old to go out there and get beat up just for a fish or two. The bait seems to be farther offshore than usual even with the winds out of the ease that we’ve had for over a week. No reports of shad showing up or the full grown threadfins and scaled sardines that should be on the beach in good numbers right now.
On to the bait house reports:
Safety Harbor Bait and Tackle – 727-725-3474 – Trout and ladyfish are biting off the pier. Snook and reds are coming in from the grass flats. Double Branch is a good spot for catch and release snook fishing right now.Fisherman’s World in Tarpon Springs, 727-942-8944 – Trout have been biting well fishing the deeper waters of 10’-12’ around the spoil islands, 20”-23” are not uncommon. Shrimp and plastic jerk baits are the top producers. Snook are looking for live bait in the mouth of the canals, incoming tide is best, catch and release only. Grouper are 20 plus miles offshore because of all the gumbo closer in.
Trappman’s Bait and Tackle on Gandy Blvd in St. Petersburg - 727-579-1414- Reds are really biting well in the Bay right now. Lots of snook are being caught and released. Cobia are biting well but lots of tackle is being lost around the bridge pilings by anglers fishing for them.
Don’s Dock on Madeira Beach - 727-391-3223- Some reports of pompano came in last week. The offshore wrecks and reefs are holding plenty of Spanish mackerel. Plenty of bait seems to be offshore this year. Grouper have been coming in with live bait as the best producers, primarily from well offshore. Barracuda are around the wrecks offshore. Inshore the reds and trout are biting in the Bay Pines area, and a lot of small grouper have been coming in from the flats.
Fathoms on the Dock at Maximo in St. Petersburg – 727-867-3603 – The weather last week really put most fishermen in front of the TV at home. Offshore fishing was just too rough for most anglers. A few tarpon have been seen around the Skyway and in the Pass at Pass-a-Grille but not any of real size yet.
The Skyway Fishing Pier - 727-865-0668 and the south Skyway - 941-729-0117- Lots of Spanish mackerel have been brought in this week. Some real nice grouper have come over the rail. At night the blacktips and bull sharks have been seen and caught particularly on the south pier with an outgoing tide. Some tarpon have been seen and the usual assortment of grunts and mangrove snapper have been caught as well.
Folks, feel free to call any of the places in my report for more information, and be sure to tell them that you read about the fishing in their area in Capt. Charlie’s fishing report on the Internet.
If you want more information about fishing in the Tampa Bay area or wish to book a charter, simply e-mail me at captchas@flfish.com or if you wish to arrange a charter faster, call me at 727-546-7257.
Good fishing and tight lines,
Capt. Charlie
http://www.flfish.com
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