Expect good things to happen next month as the water continues to warm in the gulf, bays and backcountry. As the water continues its warming trend the bait will move onto the flats if it's not already there.
The Snook are beginning to pick up in their usual places. Expect this to continue particularly as the water gets warmer. Fishing tidal flats and mangrove shorelines will certainly produce especially in lower Tampa Bay. Proper setup is paramount in catching fish… never stop on top of the fish stop several yards away and fish your way in. If live baits your gig, remember Snook love white bait more commonly aka green backs. Top or suspending artificial lures prove effective and the excitement of top waters can't be beat.
Spotted Sea Trout fishing will continue improving especially when bait shows up on the flats. Grassy tidal flats with deep and shallow areas and plenty of sandy potholes are great places to find large trout. Fishing broken bottom or potholes using Paradise Poppers from Old BaySide especially on choppy surface days works great as its difficult not only for you to see them but for them to see you. Sometimes using corks keeps the bait flashing as the wind keeps moving the cork up and down. Trout fishing using artificial lures can really be a hoot. Try artificial shrimp like the (DOA) measles color, (Old Bayside) clear/brown core or avocado gold or Mister Twister Exude red measles or golden bream.
Look for hard sandy or rocky broken bottom flats (grass flats with plenty of potholes) around Picnic Island, Simmons Park, Bishop Harbor, Joe Island down into Bradenton and Sarasota. Upper Tampa Bay sports good fish around Weedon Island, Fourth Street, Cypress Flats, Rocky Point, Double Branch, and Culbreath Isle Flats.
Redfish should start settling in to their summertime patters. Check you favorite oyster bars, cuts and broken bottom grass flats. Remember they will lie together in large sandy holes. Try the last of an outgoing tidal flat using a stealthy approach… they are extremely skittish have excellent eye sight and hearing. Try to keeping a low profile as you approach using a side arm cast. Soft plastics on a light jig heads are good baits to fool a red into eating. If you spook, they normally do not move too far. Greenbacks and silver dollar size pins work well if you're a live baiter. Remember… quite is the number one key to Redfish.
Where to fish for Snook and Redfish in Tampa Bay: You will find them almost everywhere southeast shore including the Alafia River, Picnic Island, Simmons Park, Bishop Harbor, Joe Island down into Bradenton and Sarasota. Good fishing around Weedon Island, Fourth Street, Cypress Flats, Rocky Point, Double Branch, and Culbreath Isle Flats. The Inter-coastal, Tierra Verde, Pass a Grille and Boca Ciega offer good Snook fishing, especially at night around the docks and bridges.
As the baits show so do the Cobia cursing sandy flats and channel edges looking for a meal. These guys aren't the brightest fish around and will eat just about anything you throw at them. Remember if you see a school of rays look closely a Cobia could be following close behind.
Mackerel are already here especially around the Skyway Bridge. Light tackle is always fun on these drag screamers. Just about anything shinny will catch them. They seem to like green backs or threadfins free-lined in the current, under a Paradise Popper. When you set up put a chum bag overboard and hold on.
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For information or to book trips call Capt. Woody Gore at 813-477-3814 Cell or 813-982-2034 Office, visit his website at WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM or Email him at wgore@ix.netcom.com. Guiding and fishing Florida waters for over 50 year's and the results are always the same "Memorable Fishing Adventures." Single or Multi-Boat Charters & Company and Corporate Events Specialist.