Things are returning to normal; the water temperatures in the mid to high seventies, the live bait’s on the flats and bridges and we’re catching plenty of fish.

The summer outlook is shaping up nicely. As usual it’ll be warm, but we can expect to catch plenty of fish. Last month I ran a three day trip for a family from Wisconsin; a dad, brother and their sons. What a great group of guy’s; we caught plenty of snook with the big one at 39 inches long and 17 lbs. What a great way to end the day, the fish struck as we were getting ready to call it a day. On inshore tackle, around the mangroves, it took what seemed a lifetime to get her under control, then a couple of quick photos and back to fight again.

Tarpon - Tarpon - Tarpon: Favorably nicknamed the “Silver King” these awesome fish will always make your day, and occasionally make you sore. If you’re interested in tackling one of the most sought after sport fish; now’s the time to get something booked before all the good tide days are gone. Keep in mind you don’t want to over load the charter with people. There are days when we hookup several fish, but days when we only get one or two. When tarpon fishing; two anglers is about the right number, we can fish up to four anglers, but you must decide who is up to bat.

In Tampa Bay we’re fortunate to have a series of alternatives to fall back on if the mighty tarpon refuses to eat. Snook, Redfish, Mackerel, Kingfish, Trout and other options are almost endless.

Snook (Season’s Closed until September): We can expect a good snook bite throughout the summer, but remember the seasons closed until September first. There are plenty of nice fish around and they are ready to eat. Catching snook on light tackle is like catching a bass on steroids and the aerial displays make the experience a lifetime memory.

Redfish: We’re starting to see some schooling fish around the grass flats and oyster bars. Silence is golden when it comes to redfish; any noise and they’re gone. Primarily feeding in shallow water noises are magnified and resonate through the boat and into the water. If you’re sitting on a school of fish you can literally see them scatter at the slightest sounds.

Spotted Sea Trout: Deeper grass flats, greenbacks or shrimp, and a popping cork and you have yourself trout bite. Topwater also lures make an early morning trip more exciting watching the lure with excited anticipation; you just never know what’s going to strike.

Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Sharks, Cobia, and Kings: As things around the bay heat up you can expect these to join the action. There are a few Kingfish hanging around the hard bottom just off the beaches and when chumming for King’s always watch for cobia. When the threadfins show up show so does the mackerel and sharks.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Woody Gore is the areas top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done. Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.

As expected the winds usually subside this time of year and we’ll return to our normal fishing. With the many fronts blowing in from the north and northwest it seemed like the fishing gods decided we should do something other than fish. As the waters warm, bait shows up on the flats, winds lighten and if recent trips are any indication, then its good fishing ahead.

 Snook season officially closes this month as it does every year. However, due to disastrous kills earlier this year it will be closed until September. However those surviving are beginning to show up in the usual places. Earlier kills will definitely have some effect, but we’re beginning to catch a few on artificial’s around the mangroves and docks. If not hurt too much they should really turn on this month. Good tidal grass flats, passes or cuts from upper Tampa Bay all the way to Sarasota should prove productive. Anglers using and chumming with greenbacks usually produce plenty of action, but use caution when tossing out baits, too many and you’ll fill them up.

 Spotted Sea Trout should continue improving especially as the bait moves onto the grass flats. Look for broken bottom grass flats with sandy potholes or hard rocky bottoms. These areas produce some good size fish. You can expect plenty of action on artificial lures. Jig the bottom using soft plastics or an artificial shrimp under a popping cork. If live bait is you thing, small greenbacks or shrimp free-lined or under a popping cork always produces fish.  

 Redfish should pick up this month using live bait or artificial lures. Although it seems they’ve had lock-jaw; recently we’ve been getting some to eat using live or dead baits; but you’ve got to be patient. Check you favorite oyster bars, cuts and broken bottom grass flats on the last of an outgoing tide and the first of an incoming. Do not forget, redfish often feed with large schools of mullet as they stir up the bottom. 

Cobia should start cursing the sandy flats and markers and will eat just about anything tossed at them. Remember markers, grass flats, or any structure holding bait is a good starting point. Also, large rays, manatees and sea turtles often support cruising cobia.  

 Spanish Mackerel/Bluefish: As the massive schools of threadfin herring invade Tampa Bay the Spanish mackerel and bluefish bite goes crazy. It’s not unusual to limit out in a couple of hours and have a blast doing it. Good catches already being reported throughout the bay especially on moving water. Pull any shiny spoon or lure through the water on wire leader and hold on. They also like free-lined live threadfins and greenbacks. I’ve been using 60 pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader, shiny long shank 2/0 hooks and # 2 or 3 split shots with good success. A word of caution; mackerel have razor sharp teeth and plenty of them, so be very cautious when handling as they can inflict a nasty and infectious bite.

 Kingfish action should be good on any nearshore hard bottom holding bait. They often move into Egmont channel and lower Tampa Bay as the water temperatures reach the 70’s. Rig up and experience some awesome action on the speedy action fish.

 Tarpon are showing around the Skyway and along the beaches. They also begin moving inside around deeper flats and hard bottom or artificial reefs holding baitfish. Expect plenty of activity throughout the summer using free-lined threadfins, pass crabs and greenbacks.

 “Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Woody Gore is the areas top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

 Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.  Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.

Tampa Bay Fishing Report April 2010
By Capt. Woody Gore – www.captainwoodygore.com

Finally winter is over and spring is here. Now is the time to dig out those rods and reels and check out the boat, it’s time for another great summer of fishing.

Throughout the wintertime fishing was consistently poor with cold weather, cold water temperatures and high winds. Thankfully it’s over and the fishing should pick up as our water temperatures return to normal and the bait shows up on the flats.

I continually marvel at the excellent opportunities offered anglers. You’ll find many people fishing from the shore, bridges, or piers while others wade, or fish from boats, kayaks, or canoes. Fishing is a great pastime; not only does it give us the opportunity to catch a few fish; it also allows us to enjoy the wonders of our environment. Sometime catching fish is not as important as being on the water observing the balance of nature. So, when stress levels begin building to one notch below internal combustion. Step back, grab your fishing gear, and spend some time relaxing with nature.

Greenbacks should be showing at Skyway, deepwater markers and pushing onto the grass flats. Everything should be eating this month as they’ve been fairly tight lipped all winter. Snook are still closed, so it’s catch and release; Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, Mackerel will pick up as the water temperatures return to normal.

Snook (Season’s Closed Until September): The magic number for water temperatures seems to be the mid to high sixty’s and up, so look for them around deeper water early then moving shallower as the day continues to warm. Live baits always work for snook, but so do artificial lures. Redfish: Like snook the Redfish become easier as the temperatures climb into the 70’s. They’ll cruise along the deeper edges of grass flats moving toward the mangroves as the tide rises. If chumming, keep the baits within casting distance, you want to draw them to you. Not too much, over feed and they’ll stopping eating. Try pitching soft plastics around the mangroves on high incoming tides or low water outside flats. Spotted Sea Trout: This month produces some good catches on incoming or outgoing tides. A great target species, when using topwater popping plugs, live greenbacks or shrimp under a popping cork. Pop it a couple of times and let it sit until the water rings are gone and do it again. If there are Trout in the area they’ll strike. Tarpon: Always a winner, tarpon will be showing up around the beaches and bridges. If you’ve never targeted this magnificent fish, perhaps you should. The aerial acrobats of a hooked silver king can stop a heart. More times than not, it’s the jumps that make it worth while. Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Sharks, Cobia, and Kings: With the onset of greenbacks and threadfins come the mackerel, sharks, cobia, and kingfish. These species can make a trip, especially for the kids.
“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” Captain Woody Gore is the areas top outdoor fishing guide. He is also an outdoor writer, photojournalist, and speaker. Woody has guided the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years, and offers memorable fishing adventures.

Single or multi-boat charters for larger parties are all the same. Tell me what you need and leave the rest to me.  Woody’s website is located at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM or give him a call at 813-477-3814

As usual the news media “Sensationalized the Circumstances” making folks think every fish in the area was killed. Nothing is farther from the truth…

I’ve lived here for 63 years and I believe its nature’s way if controlling nature. We’ve been through it before and we’ll go through it again.

“Fishing is exceptional” We’ve been catching fish on every trip since the cold spell, and it’s getting better every day, as the water temperatures return to normal.

We had some unseasonably cold weather and low water temperatures, in January, which was responsible for a large fish kill. Most species affected centered around catfish, spade-fish, sand perch, mullet, lady fish and snook. Yes, that’s right, we lost many large snook, but on a positive note, millions survived.

Snook - Snook fishing is notably slow during the winter; so I usually target other species giving them a break until spring. It’s difficult anyway trying to get them to eat when they are trying to stay warm. We did loose some big fish during the freeze, but these are older fish on the last of their life cycle. Nature at work.

Redfish - Fishing is good during the winter with plenty of available fish. We’ve been getting some nice slot fish on shrimp and cut bait. Terry Huff is pictured with a nice Tampa Bay Redfish. A sad note: Terry passed last year from lung cancer. See “Things That Matter”

Spotted Sea Trout - These fish light up during the cooler months and it’s not unusual to catch a limit in a short while. We’ve had days when it’s a fish on every cast. We get them on live shrimp and artificials and they are great eating.

Cobia - The cooler temps usually push the fish into or near the warm water run off of local power plants. However, we have better success in the summer months on flats and markers.

Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Pompano - I’ll be targeting sheepshead shortly around bridges and dock pilings. They move inside this time of year to spawn and we catch some really big tackle busters. Folks usually don’t think of sheepshead as tackle busters, but when the spawning crew moves in… hold onto your rod.

Wintertime Mackerel should continue strong and bluefish are always a hoot on light tackle, and many times when trout fishing we’ll luck up on a Pompano or small permit.

Snook (Gulf Coast Size Limit: 28-33 Inches) – The Snook bite’s been ok but nothing like the summer months. These earlier than normal cold snaps dropped the water temperatures drastically sending snook running for warmer water. If you’re looking for greenbacks they’re also on the move and much smaller. While they always seem to be at the Skyway, north winter winds often make it difficult if you are in a boat. Shrimp are usually available except when strong winds keep the shrimpers in port. Here’s a tip when using greenbacks or shrimp during cool water weather. Cut the tail fins off the sardines to slow them down and tail hook a shrimp with a jighead and fish it slow on the bottom. Remember bridges, docks and deepwater structure during cool water times.

Redfish – Redfish should continue cooperating provided it doesn’t the water temperatures don’t get too low. Cut bait and artificial lures are productive. Topwater lures worked with a “walk the dog” action is always exciting, especially on a calm morning.

Sea Trout – Cold water usually means the trout bite is going to start. As the temperatures begin cooling they head to the deeper grass flats, rocky shoals and start eating. This would be a good time to experiment with artificial lures.

Mackerel, Cobia, Sharks – for some reason we seem to keep some resident mackerel schools in the bay area. You’ll find them eating glass minnows and small greenbacks.

Cobias are starting to show up around the bay and with cool water temperatures they’ll head to the power plant hot water discharges. Chum bags, large shrimp and pinfish produce well.
When fishing the hot water discharges you’ll probably catch your share of smaller sharks.

Sheepshead – Sheepsheads are everywhere and should start picking up around rock piles, oyster bars with sandy shoals, docks and bridges. Scrap the pilings, use a piece of green mussel and hang on.

Tampa Bay’s the largest open-water estuary in the state, and is home to a myriad of sea grasses, marine life and a hale and hearty diversity of fish. These marine creatures attract many species of fish, birds, manatees and other wildlife which come to feast on the rich food sources. If angling is something you enjoy, then Tampa Bay and the inter-coastal waters of the gulf coast certainly offer some awesome fishing opportunities.

While fishing can be done year round, fall offers some excellent opportunities on a variety of species. On fishing outings some species you’re likely catch include snook, redfish, cobia, tarpon, trout, grouper, kingfish, and mackerel. Read on to see what’s going on in November?

As we approach the cool water temperatures of winter, shallow water fishing definitely improves. The fish start aggressively feeding for winter and become more active as they search for food. They’ll take an assortment of baits from live to dead. And since they will have large appetites anglers will have greater success using a wider range of artificial lures.

Snook: This is our last month to keep snook as the season closes December first. November is when things usually start coming alive around the bay and inter-coastal waterways. Snook are usually tops on the list as the fall transition has started and we are catching Snook on just about every shoreline.  The best bite has been at the beginning and end of either incoming or outgoing tides. Snook normally respond live baits as well as top water lures, jerk baits and shallow diving lures.

Spotted Sea Trout: Beginning November first it will be catch and release only in the south region until January first. Otherwise winter’s a great time for the big gator trout especially as they start working their way into the back-country and deeper grass flats. Often concentrating in deeper holes usually makes them easier to locate especially on low tides.

Redfish: The reds are still biting and some are still schooled up biting everything tossed in their direction. They should continue to be consistent on the flats and around the mangroves. A variety of artificial lures are catching their share along with live shrimp, sardines, and pinfish. The key to finding redfish, is fishing dark patchy bottoms, especially around schools of larger mullet. Although chumming with live bait works, tossing dead cut bait around the mangroves on flooding tides usually brings them out to investigate. Most are holding close to the shoreline.

Inshore Gag Grouper: The inshore grouper bite will pickup especially as the water temperatures cool down. Fishing should be good when we can avoid the northerly cold fronts and high winds. Lots of keeper nearshore and Tampa Bay fish coming up with a few really nice keepers from 15 to 25 feet of water. These guys are awesome fun especially on light tackle and trolling.

Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Bluefish: November cold fronts are here and so are the traditionally high winds that follow. As the water temps fall with each passing front the near beach kingfish bite should improve. Tons of bait should bring the kings, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and bonito within a mile or so of the beach or inside the bay.

Fish With Captain Woody Gore: Fishing Florida for over 50 years I offer professionally guided fishing and teaching charters around Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Tarpon Springs. So, if you want to catch fish, have a memorable adventure or perhaps learn some new fishing tips give me a call. I also specialize in group or multi-boat charters. Tell me what you need and leave the rest to me. To book a charter please visit my website “www.captainwoodygore.com” or call me at: 813-477-3814.

It’s that time of year, the fish are eating and we’re doing more catching than fishing. This is a great time to fish as late summer and early fall temperatures start dropping. If you want to catch tarpon, snook, redfish, trout, snapper, grouper, or sharks now is the time to do it. “Give Me a Call and Let’s Go Fishing” For charters or articles on catching fish, visit my website www.captainwoodygore.com.

Tarpon are still around and biting. We’ve caught plenty over the past month. On a recent outing with my son Capt. Mike took his new Ranger out for some break-in time and decided to do some early morning topwater action with our favorite the Top Dog Jr. The snook bite was slow so we decided to look around trying out his new Hummingbird 1197.

While checking an inshore reef south of St. Pete Pier, we noticed schooling tarpon feeding on a giant bait schools. Of course neither of us brought out tarpon gear and you can bet your bottom that won’t happen again. Not able to withstand the personal pressure, we decided to fish them anyway. I tied on the deepest sinking lure in the box a MirrOLure Catch 5 and began casting toward the schooling fish. To make a two-hour story short we jumped five tarpon and landed a nice cobia. Unfortunately, we lost every MirrOlure in the boat, but man… what a ride on tarpon.

Redfish and Snook are all over the area hanging around the many lush grass flats and mangrove shorelines. As redfish move back into the bay it’s not usually easy to find them schooled up on the many grass flats covering Tampa Bay. It’s also the time of the year when the really big reds show up. You never know whether you’re going to a catch one in the slot or one of the giants over 30 inches. These big reds often top the scales at 15 to 20 pounds. The upper bay area is holding good numbers of fish but you must pick your tide days carefully when fishing north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway by boat. The area gets extremely shallow on low water, so fish the higher tides with live bait or shrimp under a small cork.

Snook are in season until December 15 on the gulf coast. With most of the snook we caught averaging in the 22 to 25 inch range. The new slot limits of 28 inches to 33 inches often make it tough to put a slot fish in the boat, but if you work at it, you’ll catch one or two especially as fall approaches. We did catch one or two in the 29 to 35 inch range on live greenbacks. For those who like the night life associated with snook fishing, this is great time. They’re hanging under residential docks watching the light line for a quick meal. Use a shallow diving artificial lure or free-line a big shrimp. Make sure to use a weighty leader like Seaguar 30-40 lb., so you don’t get cut of on the pilings.

As for the others, we’ve been catching good sized mangrove snapper at the bridges with some topping out around 3 pounds. Cobia are showing and for us it usually only takes a chum bag over the side to spark their curiosity. If you hook-up, be ready with another rod and bait as other cobias will be following the action. Mackerel, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish are feeding on bait schools everywhere. If its glass minnows they’re after remember to match the hatch.

Never turn your fishing nose up at ladyfish and jacks especially when kids are involved; they can certainly make or break a trip. Most children are not interested in fishing, however they are interested in catching and they don’t care what it is. When you take kids fishing make sure it’s all about them. You’ll get your turn when you and your buds get out.

If you want to catch fish, have a memorable adventure or perhaps learning some new fishing tips give me a call. I also specialize in group or multi-boat charters. Tell me what you need and leave the rest to me. Fishing Florida for over 50 years I offer professionally guided fishing and teaching charters around Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Tarpon Springs.

To Book Fishing Charters please visit my website CaptainWoodyGore.Com or call me at: 813-477-3814.

September Fishing Report - Tampa Bay Area

Snook season opens and as usual the action should be excellent. You’ll find plenty of big fish around bridges and passes especially at night with free-lined baits like pinfish, greenbacks and jumbo shrimp. Fishing the flats around broken bottom potholes and mangroves will be good. For some exhilarating experiences try tossing a good topwater walk-the-dog topwater lure. MirrOlure, High Roller, and Thunder Shad are excellent choices. If you’re not into artificial lures greenbacks always do the trick. However, this usually requires some experience throwing a net and a good circulating livewell. Early morning beach fishing is also productive, you’ll find plenty of fish chasing bait in the surf; try a shallow diving lure.

If you’re looking for some late summer fun particularly for the youngsters, take them snapper fishing. Not only are these fish fun to catch but they are great eating. Small free-lined greenbacks or pieces of fresh shrimp around markers, bridges or rock piles will usually result in a limit of fish. If the tides a little strong add enough split shot to keep the bait down 3-6 feet. Don’t forget a chum bag. Here’s a tip: Put them on ice immediately, this make them much easier to clean. It gels the fat in their stomach keeping it from sticking to your knife.

Tampa Bay is still be loaded with plenty of threadfins and the mackerel and bluefish will be all over them. Mac’s and Blue’s are excellent targets this month. If you’re looking for awesome, light tackle action this is it. Threadfins are everywhere but look around marker cans, range markers or shallow reefs. Anchor up current, toss out a few baits for chum and throw to the striking fish.

Redfish action will be steady with schooling fish moving around the area. Approach schooling fish carefully you don’t want to split them into several groups because it’s often difficult to group them back up. Always pole or slow troll to within casting distance, Power-Pole down and present a low profile by getting off the bow. Try to pick off fish at the outer edges; and never cast into the middle of the school. Reds eat shrimp, greenbacks, and pinfish. If they’re not looking for live bait cut bait might work.

Trout fishing is always productive around lush grass flats. It takes moving water to get them eating but when they start… its fish-on. Popping corks with artificial plastic tails or live shrimp will produce. If you’re watching a cork and it’s bobbing up and down that usually a pinfish eating your bait; trout snatch it under and keep it down.

August Fishing Report Tampa Bay Area

Redfish - August should see more redfish action around the Tampa Bay area. This past month we could find lots of fish but getting them to bite with any consistency was something else. I’ve set on schools of 50 to100 fish and tossed everything in the boat at them only to have them ignore our offerings. Occasionally we’d catch one or two on a cut pinfish but not with the action we’re used to seeing. With tons of bait around its likely the fish are not that hungry but at least they’re out there. The bay area notoriously produces good catches of redfish you just need to find the ones ready to eat. Redfish will push into the Mangrove lined shores and oyster bars on incoming tides. Live bait normally produces good catches along with cut baits. Early morning top-water artificial lures on the grass flats will offer some good visual excitement as well. Work both incoming and outgoing tides.

Snook - One More Month… Snook fishing will continue strong this month with larger fish still on the beaches. Expect to see them bunching up near passes and deeper holes. They often appear to have lockjaw but patience seems to pay off when looking for larger fish. Many report catching good fish with dead bait left on the bottom. Artificial lures usually produce some awesome action and if you’ve passed the learning curve you can have a great time tossing plastics to waiting snook.

Spotted Sea Trout - Trout fishing can always be fun especially when you find some larger fish willing to eat. I’ve been getting into some good action in deeper water and around the fish attractors using free-lined greenbacks. Also check out the deep grass flats (3-4 ft.) using a popping cork with greenbacks, small pinfish (the flats are full of them) or shrimp.

Cobia - Markers and sandy flats equal Cobia. These fish frequent markers especially those holding threadfins. They also cruise the flats following rays and manatees.  When marker fishing, keep a chum bag out you just never know what might show up.

Tarpon - Tarpon fishing at the bridge has its good and bad days. Recently we’ve been seeing nice pods along the beach. Threadfins, crabs and larger sardines should do nicely. If you happen upon a daisy chaining pod, toss bait into the middle and hold on. There are also good reports along the upper bay bridges. Fish the light lines at night.

Snapper - Grey Snapper are everywhere. Pieces of live shrimp or cut sardines on a ¼ oz. knocker rig works great. Just find a bridge, rock pile, dock or just about any structure and its fish-on.

Mackerel & Bluefish - Tampa Bay is loaded with mackerel and bluefish and fishing this month should be great. Just look for schools of threadfins, put out a chum bag and hold onto your rod and reel. I’m seeing mackerel catches up to 5 and 6 pounds and some of the biggest blues ever. This is some real excitement on light tackle but need to use wire leaders like 30# Tyger Leader and inexpensive long shank hooks. For some exciting top water action try tail hooking your bait and let it work against the current. This forces the bait to the top for some great top water strikes.

Everything eats shrimp even… anglers.

Regardless of the species you’re trying to catch on any fishing trip you won’t go wrong by having a few dozen shrimp along. And if you’re like me, being extremely fond of these tasty little rascals what I don’t use I always take them home and enjoy a little shrimp cocktail.

When it comes to live bait fishing, every angler has their own preference. However, almost unanimously all will agree that nothing rates higher than the every present shrimp. Simply put… everything in Florida waters eats shrimp. Consequently, if you’re searching for something that catches fish all year… it’s a live shrimp. This highly adaptable bait catches everything from pinfish to tarpon.

Pressure of work got you stressed and you need to relax, just go fishing. If you’re looking to forget the world’s problems or feel like taking the kids out for some afternoon rod and reel fun, shrimp would be a great way to do it.

Free-line on a hook, under a popping cork or one of my favorites, rigged with a bucktail jig and tipped with the tail section of a fresh shrimp. Fishing this simple rig around the mangroves, flats or structure will usually result in fish.

Inshore: July fishing is hot and humid and extra precaution should be taken when it comes to heat exhaustion. So, keep yourself hydrated with plenty of fluids. Heat exhaustion grabs you when least expected and can be fatal. Whether you’re fishing or boating during the summer drink plenty of fluids, wear a hat, and Sunblock.

Provided you can stand the heat fishing should be great. We can expect water temperatures to climb into the eighties and low nineties so watch your bait if using greenbacks. High water temperature means low oxygen levels especially in shallow water.

Not only the bait suffers, but fish also need oxygen rich water. So when you fish shallow look for areas with good tidal flows and changing water. Throughout the bay you’ll find deeper cuts and washes around and through grass flats, mangrove islands, oyster bars and shady mangrove shores, these are good starting points for many species.

Snook - Depending on tides and lunar phases, snook usually spawn around the full moon. Individual females may spawn every two days releasing over a million eggs per occurrence. For that reason, handle with care, revive quickly and return them gently to the water. Snook fishing is going gangbusters with nice fish caught on both live bait and artificial lures. This should continue through the summer.

Redfish - Redfish are found almost everywhere in the bay area. Search for them around oyster bars and early morning flats. Expect good early morning topwater action along grass flats and mangrove shores. Work both incoming and outgoing tides.

Spotted Sea Trout - Trout fishing been exceptional all year and unless something drastic happens we can expect it to continue all summer. Look for really nice size trout on Tampa Bay grass flats especially deeper edges on outgoing tides.

Cobia - Cobia will be traveling the flats and open water, sometimes as singles or groups and normally always behind large Rays. Keep your eyes peeled, toss your bait close and the battle begins.

Tarpon - Tarpon anglers should check the beaches and bridges. Threadfins, crabs and larger sardines should do nicely. Toss them directly into the path of rolling tarpon and hang on. Bridge Tarpon are always fun. Be ready to cast off your anchor line and buoy and give chase.

Snapper – The bay is loaded with these tasty fish. Although not as big as the offshore guys but they’re big enough to give you a terrific tussle on light tackle. Remember, these are reef species and the new laws require the use of circle hooks when using live or dead baits. Shrimp or cut sardines on a ¼ oz. knocker rig works great.

Mackerel & Bluefish - If you are looking for some great light-tackle action look, no further Tampa Bay is full of threadfins and that means Mackerel and Bluefish. Drift the bait schools or anchor around a marker tossing out a white baits or threadfins, and hang on. Shinny artificial lures like silver spoons also work.

Offshore:
Expecting the weather to remain hot, the winds should stay fairly calm for some warm water offshore action. While temperatures will often affect the near-shore bite cooler offshore temperatures turn fish on.

If it’s a snapper you’re after… it’s a great time to go fishing for these tasty fish. Also expect large Mangrove Snapper action at night from 50 feet on out, especially around the full moon.

Expect good catches of grouper, amber jacks, triggerfish, sharks, sea bass, and dolphin (mahi-mahi). There is also some pompano still hanging around the wrecks and as always goliath’s ready to eat anything you catch.