Grouper
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Location: Tampa Bay | Weekly Fishing Report
By JIM LEE
Posted December 10, 2009 by The Tampa Tribune
Freshwater
Good weather most of the week made speckled perch anglers and bass anglers happy. However, the specks have not really turned on yet. Good bass catches were the order of the day. Specks will turn on with the cooler water. For bass, work that bass worm much slower than usual. As one guide said, “When you have slowed the lure down as far as you think you can stand it, cut it in half.”
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: This was a much better week, and even those who fished in the cool weather did well. Catfish are the hot item in the river, with lots of nice 2- to 4-pounders being caught. Bass might be hiding but you can entice them out with artificial and live wiggler worms. Bluebird skies didn’t last too long, so bass should be in their usual places. Move that worm a little slower than normal. Live worms will catch more bass in cold weather, too.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Bass catches were better this week, but not many large fish were reported. Speckled perch were caught, but not in high numbers. We need more cold weather to turn on the specks.
LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Bass anglers are catching some nice fish, but specks are still spotty. Catches of eight to 15 specks are common. Night speck action is still best.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE: J & S Fish Camp, (772) 597-4455: Rain and fog have curtailed bass anglers, and the specks have not turned on yet. You can catch a few trolling, but the weather needs to be a little cooler.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Specks aren’t hot yet, but perhaps after the next cool weather they might turn on. Some can be caught, but they are few and far between. Schooling bass are turned on very nicely, with an occasional larger fish.
Saltwater
This has been a banner week for offshore grouper fishing and inshore fishing for trout. Anglers fishing 20 to 30 feet of water have been loading the boats. Other areas you will find grouper to 40 feet. Now is the time to fish for grouper. When the water gets too cold, they will move offshore again. During the actual cold front, fish the warm-water run-off areas at the power plants for mostly pompano, redfish and trout. Also, fish the residential canals for snook, sheepshead and tarpon. Sheepshead are big and abundant.
10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: There is good snook fishing in the backcountry creeks. On the outside, cobia are thick and big, which makes trout catches the by-catch.
SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: Bluefish to 5 pounds were taken on Cal jigs and Clouser flies. Lots of trout, a few mackerel and pompano were also taken. Small Clouser flies are the ticket to success on a fly rod. Watch for pompano when you are running, as they will “skip” away from the boat. Fish the deeper flats
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Williams Park is producing trout, mangrove snapper and redfish. Bullfrog Creek was hot this week. Sheepshead and trout are the main event here. Mangrove snapper can still be caught at the drop-off areas. Use live bait.
WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Trout are the main event. Trout are all over the bay and will take artificial and live baits. Mackerel should make a comeback when the water clears.
UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Get out of the wind and fish the creeks, “A” canal and the residential canals. This area should be stacked with snook and redfish, and good amounts of sheepshead. Use live bait.
SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: The middle of the week was tough with the fog, but you had to blind-cast. Pompano are around, but you have to be where they are. Redfish are the target.
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: Inshore fishing is mostly trout. Trout are big and aplenty. Offshore in 20 to 30 feet trolling for grouper is fantastic. Grouper to 30 inches were caught.
HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Fishing in 20 feet of water one day, all anglers limited out on grouper. On another day the party limited out in 40 feet of water. It looks as if we are in a winter front pattern now, and you will have to fish between the fronts.
HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727)-992-9494: Grouper fishing in shallow water has been fantastic. The larger fish are being taken on grunt and mullet heads. Limits in the morning mean you can fish other species in the afternoon.
FLY FISHING: Big trout are the easiest fun you can have now. The days between fronts when the winds die down is when you can blind-cast for trout. The Anclote area is one of the hot spots, all the way down to Dunedin.
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Weekly Fishing Report 12/10 - Jim Lee | TBO
