Redfish
Posts: 482
 
Location: Tampa Bay | Weekly Fishing Report
By JIM LEE
Posted September 25, 2008 by The Tampa Tribune
Freshwater:
Bass catches are great and speckled perch have started. Fall is in the air, with bass and speckled perch catches hot. Specks are starting to be found in Lake Istokpoga, Okeechobee and other lakes across the southern portion of the state. Bass 2 to 6 pounds are common, with an occasional 8-pound bucketmouth taken. Bluegill catches are declining, but speckled perch are even better eating and soon will take up the slack. Toward the center of the state is the best place to find plenty of bass.
LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: Artificial lures are hot on this lake. Bass will soon start taking shiners, but for now, artificial lures are best for bass. Captain Lenny says throw a Rat-L-Trap or spinner bait for another couple weeks, and once fall is really here, shiners will be the bait to use. Worming after the sun is up is the way to go. Use a dark worm and light bullet weight. Speckled perch will turn on very soon. Try minnows in the deeper areas to find them.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Big, bad bass are breaking out. Grab your rod and motor on over as bass 6 to 10 pounds are taking artificial lures and live shiners. There are plenty of smaller bass as well. Bluegill are virtually off the beds, and speckled perch have not started yet, but should any day now.
LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: This is the place to go for larger bass. Bass to 8 pounds are dragging anglers around the lake. A few big speckled perch are being caught.
OKEECHOBEE, THE WEST WALL: One of the finest fishing lakes in the country is very low. Seine nets are allowed to take bluegill and shellcracker in the middle of the lake. The commercial operations are doing well, but not the 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: This lake is up and the bass are biting. Bass action is good, with fish 2 to 8 pounds taking artificial lures and live shiners. You still can catch enough bluegill for supper.
Saltwater:
That great fall bite is pounding on the door. Flounder are a sign of great fall fishing to come. Flounder have started, so fishing will only get better. Redfish are schooling and the big breeder redfish are here. Pompano are big and fat. Mangrove snapper are aplenty. Redfish are schooling in most areas along the central west coast of Florida. Snook are moving in off the reefs and barrier islands and can be found along the inside of the barrier islands and across the sound to the shoreline and river mouths. Trout action will pick up as soon as the water cools a little. Grouper already have been found shallower than normal for this time of year. Mackerel are at the Sunshine Skyway area and will increase as the water cools. Pompano are on the beaches, deeper flats and estuaries. Sheepshead will be an item very soon. The mangrove snapper bite is good.
10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: Redfish are running rampant in the Everglades. There are lots of juvenile snook to catch, too. Take some live shrimp just in case bait is tough to find. Snook and redfish are being caught on the outside edges of the creeks and points.
SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 923-7799: The east side of Sarasota Bay is fantastic. Lots of smaller trout are being caught. Mackerel are cutting off the trout rigs, so be prepared.
SUN CITY, BISHOPS HARBOR & COCKROACH BAY: John’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 376-1127: The only “on the water” bait shop in the South Shore area will be located at Cockroach Bay.
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Flounder take the lead in the fall countdown to fantastic fishing. Cockroach Bay has redfish and some snook to catch. Live shrimp is good bait as whitebait can be scarce this time of year. 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: Fish the sandy areas in the Fort DeSoto area for flounder. Use a jig head with a greenback and drag it along the bottom for excellent flounder catches. Mangrove snapper are around the docks at Fort DeSoto. Mackerel and lots of bait are in the ships channel.
UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Windy conditions are not a problem here. This area has plenty of creeks and coves to fish in when the wind blows. Redfish and snook are the catch. Later in the year, the residential canals will teem with snook and sheepshead. Fish the mangroves and creeks along the north shore. Mangrove snapper are in the deeper holes and rough bottom.
SKYWAY, UPPER BAY AND OFFSHORE: Captain James Wisner, (813) 784-5658: Mangrove snapper are on fire in Tampa Bay, and will be through October. Reds are schooling in the middle and lower parts of the bay. Pompano are the fattest they will be all year. Spanish mackerel are showing up good for the fall run. Snook are moving in and are in their fall bite. Tarpon are eating better, preparing for the fall migration soon to come.
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: Go offshore for a fall deep sea fishing extravaganza. 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 and will continue for a while. Tarpon are thinning out but biting better. 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: Big schools of reds on the low tide. Fish Honeymoon Island on the rock piles outside for the big breeders redfish. Snook are ganging up at the creek and river mouths around the oyster bars. Redfish are the main daytime event, with mangrove snapper and snook on the side.
TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809: Redfish are everywhere. Fish the shoreline and inside the rivers, and big spawn-sized redfish are also around. Snook fishing will improve when the winds change. The new moon next week will improve conditions. Some big trout are beginning to show on the flats. Mackerel from small to good-sized fish are a little offshore.
HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Grouper are in 20 to 40 feet of water. The ratio is one keeper to 30 shorts, but the keepers are in closer. Grouper, big sea bass and grunts are being caught.
KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Trout are to 27 inches and 4.7 pounds. Many were taken under Cajun Thunder floats on white pearl Gulps. Most are also catching redfish the same way or with pinfish. Limits of trout were caught by many.
HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Great grouper are coming in closer; you need to go to only 20 to 40 feet of water for them now. There are good catches of grouper, mangrove snapper and black sea bass. Sea bass are getting large.
FLY FISHING: If you never fly-fished for flounder, now is a good time. Use a large Clouser and bump it off the bottom of the white sand spots on the flats. The lighter the rod, the bigger the thrill. Redfish are schooling, and snook are moving to the inside. The fall bite is almost here.
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