Kingfish
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Location: Tampa Bay | Weekly Fishing Report
By JIM LEE
Posted November 13, 2008 by The Tampa Tribune
Freshwater:
Speckled perch catches are increasing as the winter fronts move in. Smaller bass are schooling, while larger fish will be taking live shiners. If you are a worm thrower, move to a larger worm and slow down.
LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: Live bait is beginning to rule. If you do use worms, go to the larger 8 and 10 inches. Topwater catches before daylight are very good. Try a Pop-R or a Rattling Chug Bug, but make some noise.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: This is the area for specks and now is the time. Bass catches have generally been off but picked up a little this week. The cool front might change that. Most of the bass caught were average size, from 2 to 6 pounds, as the schooling bass are around now.
LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Specks are us, day and night, and you can plan to stay awhile. Bass action has been fair with the cooler weather. Fishing that worm slower will enhance your catch. Shiners will be the bait to use after the cold front this weekend. Troll with jigs for specks and you can still catch a few shellcracker. Bass catches are pretty good and are getting better. This lake normally produces fish 6 to 8 pounds.
OKEECHOBEE, THE WEST WALL: One of the finest fishing lakes in the U.S. is still low, with no end in sight. Some bass and bluegill can be caught in the Rim Canal.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: You still can catch a bluegill. Some specks are around but not in big numbers. Smaller bass offer great sport and are a sign of bigger things to come. Bass 5 to 7 pounds can be caught.
Saltwater:
Trout are still out of season south of the Tarpon Springs area. Big trout are being caught in the northern section. Offshore grouper fishing is very good. Cobia are more prevalent than earlier this year. Redfish are scattered and the snook bite has been good for some. Flounder are the “forgotten” fish that can make your day. Fish the sand spots.
10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: Snook are the main attraction, even though they aren’t the 50-inch fish that are up in the back country. Lots of trout have moved on the flats. Cobia are a good secondary target while catching trout. Most of the snook on the outside edges of the glades are mixed keeper and not keeper sizes. Huge goliath grouper are being caught (and released) in 12 feet of water.
SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 923-7799: Trout to 23 inches, bluefish to 4 pounds, mackerel to 3 pounds and a whopping 4 1/4-pound pompano will make anyone’s day on Sarasota Bay, and that’s the way it was this week.
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. Captain John’s new “soon to be on the water” bait shop will be at Cockroach Bay.
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Redfish, snook and trout are the South Shore fish to catch. Mackerel are around the Sunshine Skyway and on the inside. Live shrimp are best to use in Cockroach Bay.
WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Grouper have moved into the ships channel. Fish the Pinellas Point area for mackerel. Big trout are the easy catch. Bounce a jig for flounder.
UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Redfish, trout and snook are the mainstays in winter. Fish the west side of the upper bay for trout, the east side creeks and the canal for redfish and snook. Don’t overlook the residential canals for snook and reds.
SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: The big moon will be upon us soon, causing big tides. Fish the low tides for tailing redfish. The trout bite is worth going after, as they are large. Pompano are where you find them — in the deep flats, passes and bridge areas.
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 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: Fish for the big trout; Weedon Island is a great area. Redfish are still hanging in very well. The snook bite will get better after the next cold front this weekend.
CLEARWATER to DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Snook were the big catch this week, a lot of them taking live greenbacks. Trout are also good, but the redfish are scattered now.
TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809: Some greenbacks can still be found. Big 3- and 4-pound trout are eating them, but they are not bunched up as good as a week ago. Big redfish to 39 inches are being found occasionally. Cobia are coming in close as the water cools.
HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Lots of short grouper inside of 35 feet, but you can have a blast catching them. Circle hooks make it easy to de-hook and save a life. Huge Key West grunts are being caught, along with mangrove snapper and black sea bass.
KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Big trout are taking pinfish under Cajun Thunder floats. Offshore catches are good. One boat took 11 grouper from 18 miles out using frozen cigar minnows. Another boat took 10 grouper in 60 feet using live pinfish and squid.
HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Red and gag grouper are biting. In addition, black sea bass, mangrove snapper and big Key West grunt are being caught. This is the time of year grouper bite the best. Cut bait always catches grouper.
FLY FISHING: Cobia are moving in closer to keep warm as the water temperature drops. If you have the intestinal fortitude, try one on a fly. One is all you need or might want. Snook action is great and there are trout to 25 inches.
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