The snook Fishing in Tampa Bay is beginning to pick up! Recent warm weather conditions
and steadily rising water temperatures has sparked a good snook chew! Tampa Bay
linesiders have begun to leave their winter-time haunts and begin their spring
feed. Spring time in Tampa Bay & St Petersburg has always meant awesome snook fishing.
It will be interesting to see how fast Bay area snook populations have recovered since
2010's devasting snook kill. So, far the outlook appears to be a positive one and we have
mother nature to thank for that. Tampa got away with a mild winter this year and that alone
is a tremendous step towards restoring local snook populations. Although, I disagree
with many state and federal fish closures I believe Florida's temporary moratorium on
snook is a just and warranted one. Hopefully we will continue to see an increase in local
snook populations and the FwC will soon lift the moratorium on snook.
Saturday I had the pleasure to welcome aboard Bill Decelle. Bill's Son-in-law Micheal and
grandkids were visting from So Philly and wanted to get in a little fishing. The St Pete's
incomming tide proved to be great for mackerel and flounder as Bill's two grandsons Max & Sam
competed to see who could catch the most fish. We left the mackerel biting and decided to do some
redfishing along the oyster bars south west of the Skyway Bridge. These bars had been
producing some very nice redfish for the last several weeks, but the reds would not
chew for Bill, Michael and the boys. If I was looking for an excuse, I guess you could blame
it on that dam "super moon" we had that night!
Anyway, we did not spend much time soaking baits for redfish before I decided to hit the
South Shore by Joe's Island. After power polling down along a deep water cut we slung
some big live baits towards the mangroves and the result was some nice snook. Max & Sam
both managed to boat some quality fish! The Snook were pulled from the mangrove shadow
lines and dark grass patches in 2-4 of water using Eupro tackle; Good Job MaX & Sam!
Tackle specifications: 4000 series reels, 8ft. 8-17 Eupro Diamond Rods, 10lb Eupro Braid,
2/0 Eupro circle hooks.
Till next time have a safe & quality day on the water!
"Fishing Like A Pro " with Eupro!-EUPRO PRO-STAFF
Captain Sean Hagen of WWW.SHAMROCK-FISHING-CHARTERS.COM
