Grouper
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Location: Tampa Bay | Weekly Fishing Report
By JIM LEE
Posted November 26, 2009 by The Tampa Tribune
Freshwater
Things are about to change as cold weather arrives. Bass will come off the beds, but speckled perch will form larger schools and you will catch higher numbers.
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: Fish now as specks will be forming in larger schools. Bass might scatter after the front, but during it fishing will be fantastic. Bass will still be there after the front, just deeper or under cover. Move that worm slower than normal. Live worms will catch more bass in cold weather, too. River fishing will be the place to be with strong north winds. Catfish are still strong.
LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: Higher winds will soon be on us, so fish the windward shoreline for protection or the downwind side, as that is where the bait will be. This lake is known for good bass fishing, and with the colder weather, speckled perch catches will rise.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Bass fishing was very good this week, but no really large fish were reported. The weather changed Tuesday and shut down bass catches for a while. Specks should be forming better next week, so catches should improve.
LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Night speck action is best, and with the new weather, catches will get better. Bass were good earlier in the week.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE: J & S Fish Camp, (772) 597-4455: High winds have played havoc with fishing and will for a few days. After the winds ease — and given a couple of days for the bass to acclimate — catches will improve. Speck catches will get very good.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Schooling bass were the word, but changes in weather will keep them hiding for a couple days. Specks are expected to move into the lake from the river via the canal in larger numbers.
Saltwater
If you haven’t caught your snook, you might have a long wait. Snook are moving up rivers and creeks and might have lockjaw for a few days. Mackerel have been good inside and outside the barrier islands. Big trout are on the flats, but until the winds subside, they will be tough to find. Sheepshead should really be thick in our area as the big ones will be motivated by the cooler weather. Meanwhile, fish for flounder, pompano, bluefish, redfish, jack crevalle and ladyfish when you can.
10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: Snook will be in the backwaters, which are easier to fish in the windy weather. If you can get to the backwaters in the windy weather you might have a good snook trip a couple days after the front.
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Snook are biting better. Mangrove snapper, sheepshead and trout are being caught. Live bait rules, but trout and mackerel will take a lure or trolled baits.
WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: After the windy weather, mangrove snapper, redfish, flounder, sheepshead and perhaps even mackerel will take live bait or a lure.
UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Fish the creeks, “A” canal and the residential canals for snook and redfish. This is out of the wind and these places hold good fish. Fish the moving tide for snook. Use live bait.
FISHING PIERS: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for mangrove snapper, redfish, flounder, mackerel and 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, mangrove snapper and gray snapper (grunt). You also might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. 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, black drum, redfish and mackerel are in the bay. Fish the Weedon Island area for trout and redfish. Ladyfish are everywhere. Live greenbacks will fool anybody.
CLEARWATER TO DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Snook might have lockjaw with the cooler weather, but fish up the rivers and creeks anyway. Big trout, small grouper and mackerel have been caught between the barrier islands and shore. With greenbacks scarce, shrimp might be the next best thing.
TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809 or (727) 808-6688: Even with the hard wind and weather, good numbers of mackerel and short grouper were caught. One keeper-sized grouper took the rig on a spinner and was lost. White bait is scarce, so it is time to take out the artificial lures.
KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Trout catches were good with the wind. It seems as though the north winds blow the water clean, which trout and mackerel love. Be careful if you venture out in the wind.
HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Grouper fishing has been great and will get much better, as more keeper-sized fish will be in shallower water when the winds slack off. Red and gag grouper have been easy to find.
FLY FISHING: An article in Florida Sportsman magazine on catching mullet on a fly was enlightening. You make a fly like algae. These flies probably have names such as “Albert’s Algae” or “The Algae Wiggler.” Snook are upriver and likely have lockjaw. Big trout will be ravenous when the winds die a bit.
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Weekly Fishing Report 11/26 - Jim Lee | TBO
