Weekly Fishing Report

By Jim Lee
Posted September 18, 2008 by The Tampa Tribune

FRESHWATER:

The fall shift seems to be starting from the south, with bass and specks being caught in good numbers. Bass action has really turned on at Lake Istokpoga. Many bass in the 4- to 6-pound range are being caught, in addition to several 8-pounders. Speckled perch also are being caught. This lake historically starts off the speck season earlier than most other lakes in Florida. Conversely, Lake Panasoffkee is still producing bluegill. All this good fishing will follow to lakes higher up in the state in a few weeks if all goes well with the weather.

Lake Tarpon: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: As the water temperature begins to fall, bait and bass will be schooling up. Look for bait and find bass. Rattling baits, topwater, spinners and other rattling crankbaits will work great. Try downsizing the lure you intend to use. On tough days when the sun is high, try a Carolina rig to find the fish. Rat-L-Traps and other crankbaits are catching bass.

Kissimmee Chain: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Lots of smaller 2- and 3-pound bass are being caught. No information on specks or bluegill, however. This lake should turn on in a couple of weeks as the weather shifts into fall.

Lorida-Istokpoga: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Bass to 8 pounds have really turned on. Live shiners and artificial lures are taking these fish. Big specks also are being caught in good numbers. This lake appears to have made a big turnaround this season.

Okeechobee, The West Wall: One of the finest fishing lakes in the U.S. is too low to fish. However, seine nets are allowed to take bluegill and shellcracker in the middle of the lake. The commercial operations are doing well; not so for guides and recreational businesses and anglers. Some bass and bluegill can be caught in the Rim Canal.

Lake Panasoffkee: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Bass action remains very good, and most are 2 to 3 pounds with an occasional 6- or 8-pounder. Bluegill still are biting enough so you can catch dinner.

SALTWATER:

Fishing between the hurricanes is getting to be habitual — and not fun. Flounder are moving into the Bay area and are entrenched in the South Shore area. Mackerel, mangrove snapper, pompano and a few tarpon are still here to catch. Some say the trout catch is improving. Redfish is the main target of flats guides. The mangrove snapper bite is good, but they haven’t filled the ships channel yet.

10,000 Islands: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: Snook and redfish are being caught on the outside edges of the creeks and points. Fish the deeper point areas and you might catch both at the same time. Live bait can be tough, so take a few live shrimp with you.

Sun City, Bishops Harbor & Cockroach Bay: John’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 376-1127: Captain John’s new on-the-water bait shop will be at Cockroach Bay. It’s the only on-the-water bait shop in the South Shore area.

Ruskin: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Cockroach Bay is sporting redfish and some snook. Flounder are the fall item we haven’t seen until recently. Live shrimp will catch them all, including mangrove snapper. Fish the break or drop-off area for mangroves. Simmons Park is turning into the go-to place for several species, including sheepshead.

Western Shore And Skyway Area: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Flounder are in the sandy areas in the Fort DeSoto area. Use a jig head with a greenback and drag it along the bottom for excellent flounder catches. Mangrove snapper are around all the docks at Fort DeSoto. Mackerel are in the ships channel, and there’s lots of bait.

Upper Tampa Bay: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Fish the mangroves and creeks along the North Shore for redfish and snook. Fish the moving tides for snook. Mangrove snapper are in the deeper holes and rough bottom.

Skyway, Upper Bay And Offshore: Captain James Wisner, (813) 784-5658: Our waters have calmed and are about back to normal. Mangrove snapper are on their full-force fall bite all over the bay. Use small sardines, threadfins or live shrimp. The larger snapper like small pinfish. Mackerel are all over the lower bay again. There are some nice big, fat pompano around, but you have to work to find them. Snook are starting their fall move and are eating well. Redfish on the flats are spooky; approach quietly and you will catch more.

Fishing Piers: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for speckled trout, redfish, flounder, mackerel and even a stray grouper.

Mid-Pinellas Party Boats: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard’s John’s Pass Marina and Kingfish dock, (727) 393-1947: Offshore fishing is good. Fish the deeper waters for grouper, black sea bass, mangrove snapper and gray snapper. You also might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches of grouper and red snapper. You also might catch mangrove snapper 4 to 8 pounds and greater amberjack.

Gandy Bait & Tackle: (813) 839-5551: The mangrove snapper bite is great, but the tarpon are thinning. A few smaller tarpon are still at the bridges. Redfish are schooling and spooky in the south end of the bay. Use live bait.

Clearwater To Dunedin: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Redfish are the main daytime event, with mangrove snapper and snook on the side. However, night snook action is where it’s at around the docks as the snook have moved in from the beaches. Live bait is best, but artificial lures also are taking some snook.

Tarpon Springs: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809: Redfish are grouping up well and bait is good. Pinfish sometimes work better than white bait for reds. Catches to nine redfish are being caught. Lots of small mackerel on the barrier islands are eating the new whitebait. Jacks are also bending rods well. Snook are in the transition mode from the outside ledges, beaches and in the river mouths. Live threadfins are the bait of choice.

Hernando County: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Grouper are beginning to move into the 40-foot areas. Grouper, big sea bass and grunts are being caught.

Keaton Beach: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: One party took 40 keeper trout in two days with a ratio of one keeper to three shorts. That is a lot of trout. In 4 to 5 feet, fish pinfish under a Cajun Float for excellent catches.

Hernando Beach: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Good catches of grouper, mangrove snapper and black sea bass. Sea bass are getting large.

Fly Fishing: Redfish and snook are moving off the beaches, and more are accessible. Flounder are everywhere and will take a Clouser worked along the bottom over sand.