Grouper
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Location: Tampa Bay | Weekly Fishing Report
By JIM LEE
Posted July 03, 2009 by The Tampa Tribune
Freshwater
This was one of the worst weeks for fishing in a long time. High winds and lots of thunderstorms make for no fish in the cooler. However, when this low works itself out, we will once again have great fishing. Expect the lakes to rise, so fish the new water behind the Kissimmee grass and other cover. Moving water will be the hot spots. Creek mouths, spillways and other pinch points will produce bass and panfish. Get your plans made for the next full moon period. This will begin this weekend, as the full moon is Tuesday.
LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: Bluegill catches were good before the weather turned bad. Fish the creek mouth at the south end of the lake. Night bass catches will resume when the weather calms.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Bluegill and shellcracker catches will resume by the weekend, assuming the rains back off. The weekend begins another new moon phase period.
OKEECHOBEE, THE WEST WALL: You will find lots of bluegill and shellcracker in certain places, but get local advice before you go. Bass catches have been very good the past few weeks, with schooling bass taking over with high numbers caught. Some bass and bluegill can be caught in the Rim Canal or other areas to the south.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Bluegill catches will resume bedding next week as the moon moves toward the full phase Tuesday. Plan ahead and go after bluegill and shellcracker next week. Fish early for good bass catches.
Saltwater
Ferocious winds and thunderous rains made last week very iffy for anglers on the Gulf Coast. The Sunshine Skyway bridge area will produce mackerel once the water clears. Some big grouper have been reported caught in the main channel inside the bridge. Offshore catches were sparse.
10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: Even the snook, which have been eating the bottoms out of boats, have backed off a little with all the rain and wind. Next week will once again be great for catching and releasing snook. Tarpon, trout, redfish and cobia are also being caught.
SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: Some tarpon were jumped, but for the most part the rains kept anglers off the water. Look for great tarpon angling when the winds slow. Flies, dead bait and lures work well.
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. High numbers of trout are being caught here. Redfish are still being caught. Snook are eating live bait but won’t be back in season until September. Mackerel and grouper are being caught at the Sunshine
Skyway bridge. Sheepshead grunts and sharks are being caught.
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: The black and bonnethead sharks are still around the power plant. Cobia, redfish and trout can be caught when the weather allows.
WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Although it was a poor week, plan on catching trout and snook when the winds subside. When the water clears, mackerel will be back. You also might be able to catch grouper in the ships channel.
UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: This cooler weather may have urged the shrimp to come out of the mud. If so, you still might be able to use live shrimp for the redfish in the upper bay.
SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Tarpon were harder to find in the rain and wind, but will be back soon. Fly-rods or spin tackle work well. You also can catch trout, redfish, pompano and mackerel.
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 deep sea fishing extravaganza. Fish the deeper waters for grouper, black sea bass, mangrove snapper and gray snapper (grunt). You also might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. Grouper are open. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches of amberjack and big mangrove snapper.
GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: The Gandy Bridge is closed to fishing. However, Gandy Bait and Tackle is the place to go in this area for live bait and tackle. Snook are being caught around Weedon Island. Live greenbacks or chubs are best, but live shrimp (if you can get them) also work. Some very large redfish have moved in the lower bay and are expected to move into the mid-Tampa Bay area.
CLEARWATER TO DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Lots of mackerel, on the outside, with trout and reds on the shoreline, spoil island and inside barrier island flats. Cobia and tarpon are the big catches if you fish early.
TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809: Fishing around Tarpon Springs consists of snook, trout, redfish and offshore grouper, mangrove snapper and cobia.
HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Grouper limits in 50 feet of water (50 miles out of Hernando) should resume when the winds subside. Grouper limits are rare in general and if this condition persists, you should grab a slot and go grouper fishing in the 50-foot range.
KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Winds and rains kept most anglers off the water. However, a few did fish between the rain, and those anglers took trout under Cajun Thunders with live bait and artificial lures. Tarpon had invaded the area, and they should be able to be found when the weather clears.
HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Sign in now for good fishing offshore. Grouper, mackerel, cobia, grunt and mangrove snapper can be caught. Lots of undersized grouper are also making trips fun.
FLY FISHING: Tarpon, snook, redfish and trout are the easy catches for fly anglers. Wade the flats for excellent action.
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Weekly Fishing Report 7/3 - Jim Lee | TBO
