Grouper
Posts: 1173
  
Location: Tampa Bay | Weekly Fishing Report
By JIM LEE
Posted December 03, 2009 by The Tampa Tribune
Freshwater
Most of the action was early in the week, as the winds picked up mid-week and got nasty Wednesday. Look for clearing weather and clear water before fishing gets normal. Dress for the cooler weather this weekend. Speckled perch catches will get better next week.
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: Fish between the raindrops if you have a wind-sheltered spot. Specks should be biting better. Bass might be hiding in the heavy cover, after the winds. After the blow we will get bluebird skies, and you know what that does. Bass just go deep and under cover. Move that worm slower than normal. Live worms will catch more bass in cold weather, too.
LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: High winds have arrived and will keep many anglers off the lake for a few days. Afterward, bass and specks should come back. Bass will be in heavy cover, and pitching works well in this case. Speckled perch catches will get better.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Bass fishing was tough this week, as winds on the Chain are tough to deal with. Fishing the northwest side of lakes or in the river was best. Specks will bite better next week, as there will be larger schools.
LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Night speck action has been best. However, the winds have shut down even speck anglers. Bass catches had been good, but winds keep anglers on shore.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE: J & S Fish Camp, (772) 597-4455: High winds have played havoc with fishing the lake and will for most of two weeks. After the winds ease, and given a couple of days for the bass to acclimate, catches will improve. Speck catches will get much better.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Schooling bass were the word, but winds and weather change will keep them hiding a few more days. Specks are not a big item yet, but hopefully they will appear with the cooler weather.
Saltwater
Grab your rubber boots and longjohns and head for the warm water run-off at the power plants. Now is winter at its best for that type of fishing. Also, fish the residential canals wherever you find them for snook, sheepshead and tarpon. Mackerel catches will be off for a while until the waters clear. Big trout are in deep holes where the water is warmer and calmer. However, they will be back on the flats as soon as the winds subside and the water clears. Sheepshead should be thick in our area as the big ones will be motivated by the cooler weather. Meanwhile, keep your boat in calm waters.
SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: The first of the week was great. Catches of 15 and 20 pompano were taken on small Clouser flies along with lots of bluefish and some trout. Fish the 6-foot-deep flats in the vicinity of the Ringling Museum. These numbers eased off Wednesday. Wait until the winds subside to go for pompano.
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Mangrove snapper and sheepshead were the bulk of the catch. Snook are upriver and 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: All bets are off for a couple days with the holidays and windy weather. However, as soon as it clears, 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: Get out of the winds and fish the creeks, ‘A’ canal and the residential canals. This area should be stacked with snook and redfish. These places hold good amounts of sheepshead, too. Use live bait.
SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Until we got blown off the water, great catches of pompano, trout and some redfish were the catches of the day. When the water clears, mackerel should be back on the list of targets.
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 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 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: This area was a bit windy as of Wednesday. Prior to that, some snook, redfish and trout were caught. Fish up the rivers and creeks to get out of the wind and you might find a snook. Big trout, small grouper and mackerel have been caught between the barrier islands and shore. The best bait is live shrimp and dead cut bait for redfish.
TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809 or (727) 808-6688: Even with the hard wind and weather, fishing was not too bad until Wednesday. Mackerel, trout and an occasional redfish were what you could find. Mackerel will return after the blow. White bait is scarce, so shake the rust off those artificial lures and jigs.
HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352)-666-6234: It looks as if we are in a winter front pattern now, and you will have to fish between the fronts. We always get two to four days of calm weather between fronts, so plan ahead, carefully.
KEATON BEACH (PERRY): One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Limits and trout to 23 inches are common, and some trout come in at 25 inches. Flounder are also on the menu. Most were caught with live bait under a Cajun Thunder float.
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: Because winter is here, the mullet can’t be far off. To take one with an Algae fly would make your day. However, you need to venture upriver for snook and redfish. The wind is not as bad and you might even be able to throw the right fly. Big trout will be on the flats as soon as this blow is over.
-----
Subscribe to our area fishing articles news feed - St. Petersburg Fishing Charters |
Weekly Fishing Report - Jim Lee | TBO
