Unfavorable to anglers, weather creates rough conditions
It’s fish or miss for local anglers.
Windy conditions and numerous cold fronts are passing through the Tampa Bay-Sarasota Bay area creating iffy conditions for fishing.
On calm days between fronts, fishing offshore around the artificial reefs is proving to be quite productive. Fishing in Tampa Bay and the rock piles and reefs can add up to a good day. However, on days when winds exceed 20 mph, fishing is challenging.
Dock fishing around the Intracoastal Waterway and on local bays is producing some action, but it’s not “on fire.” The same applies to fishing the flats. Spotted seatrout are making a showing but they are not abundant. And the trout that are taking the bait are on the small side.
On calm days when I can take my clients to offshore destinations, the fishing is quite good. Mangrove snapper and sheepshead are readily taking live shrimp offered up on a knocker rig. Sheepies up to 7 pounds are being caught with most in the 2-pound range. As for the snapper, most are 12-16 inches.
Also, on calm days, I’m doing some drifting over deep grass flats in search of pompano. Tipping small jigs with fresh-cut pieces of live shrimp is attracting attention from pompano, as well as permit, bluefish, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish.
This can be a great time for fishers with light tackle. On just about every cast, we’re hooking up with one of the species mentioned. If you’re looking for sheer numbers of fish, plus a couple to throw in the cooler for dinner, this is a great opportunity.
Capt. Warren Girle is taking clients offshore as wind and weather permit. In depths of 30-40 feet, Girle is finding an abundance of mangrove snapper. In fact, limits of these fish are being caught with consistency. Mixed in with the mangrove snapper bite are Key West grunts, sheepshead and many throw back gag grouper.
At these same depths, Girle is seeing an occasional tripletail floating by the boat. Casting live free-lined shrimp can result in a bite and Girle reports catches of tripletail up to 8 pounds. Moving inshore, Girle is finding dock fishing effective. Live shrimp cast under a dock on a knocker rig is resulting in redfish, black drum and sheepshead.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is fishing offshore with good results on live shrimp on a fish finder rig dropped to the bottom. His clients are getting attention from mangrove snapper, sheepshead and hogfish. Also in the mix are catch-and-release gag grouper, red grouper and porgies. To find this bite, Gross is working ledges, hard bottom and artificial reefs.
Moving inshore, Gross is putting clients on sheepshead around rock piles and reefs in Tampa Bay. Live shrimp remain the bait of choice. Mixed in with the sheepshead are mangrove snapper and the occasional flounder.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is working on calm, windless days offshore, where hogfish, mangrove snapper and gag grouper are readily taking shrimp offerings from his anglers. A knocker rig baited with live shrimp sent to the bottom is attracting the bite.
Rock piles and reefs in Tampa Bay are producing decent numbers of sheepshead for Lowman on live shrimp. Sheepies up to 5 pounds are coming to the boat, with most catches falling in the 2-pound range.
Also, drifting and jigging over deep grass flats is producing a variety of species for Lowman, including pompano, ladyfish, bluefish and spotted seatrout. Tipping jigs with fresh-cut live shrimp is producing the most consistent bite.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says the numbers of sheepshead showing up at the pier are increasing, although they don’t appear to be reaching full capacity. Pier fishers using live shrimp are finding success by casting baits under the pier. Using a weighted rig, or bottom rig, is ideal to keep bait at the bottom where sheepshead are feeding. Sheepies are about 12-15 inches.
Pier fishers casting jigs or Gotcha plugs out from the pier are catching Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and few pompano. It’s the seasoned pier fishers who know to tip their jigs with shrimp are hooking up the pompano, according to Malfese.
Finally, bottom fishing with live shrimp is producing flounder and black drum. Keeper-sizes of both are being caught by lucky anglers.
Snook season reopens in Gulf
The season for recreational snook fishing reopened March 1 in the Gulf of Mexico and will remain open through April 30.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says anglers can keep one snook — measuring 28-33 inches in length — per day. The fish, lying on the side, is measured from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed.
FWC, in its announcement, also said it is illegal for anglers to buy or sell snook.
For more information, visit myfwc.com/fishing.