Matthew sends red tide packing, fishing holds strong
Although the red tide bloom continued to linger in our area before Hurrincane Matthew sent winds and rough surf our way, both inshore and offshore fishing were holding their own.
Most inshore fishing during the red tide outbreak was occurring north of the Anna Maria Island Bridge at Manatee Avenue.
As for the offshore bite, the water offshore seemed to be less toxic past 3 miles. This can change day to day, depending on wind and currents, but this is how it’s been.
I’m finding a surplus of fish from north of the Manatee River to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
On my recent excursions on Southernaire Fishing Charters, the fish have been a little sporadic due to the weather and red tide, we are catching a lot of fish.
Spotted seatrout seem to be the most abundant. On some mornings, we’ve seen as many as 60 trout reeled to the boat.
Snook fishing is productive, too. Keeper-size fish are a little hard to come by, but there are plenty of those 20-24 inchers around to keep clients busy.
Fishing structure in Tampa Bay is providing great action. There is an abundance of Spanish mackerel — great adversaries on light tackle — in bay waters. This batch of macks is consistently large, with fish up to 28 inches being caught.
When done catching mackerel, we are switching over to mangrove snapper, which are abundant right now. A couple of handfuls of dead shiners thrown over the side of the boat is resulting in numerous snapper rising up from their hiding places in the reef to feed on the free food floating by.
To catch these snapper, I’m rigging with some 15-pound fluorocarbon for leader and a small No. 4 hook. No weight. I’m then using a small shiner as bait and free-lining it back in the chum slick to get a bite. Limits of the tasty, fry-ready snapper are attainable.
As far as red tide goes, the concentration in Sarasota Bay and along the Gulf beaches of Longboat Key may subside after the water settles from Matthew.
You never know where exactly the effects of the bloom will turn up.
Capt. Jason Stock is fishing offshore in an effort to avoid the red tide. Fishing around nearshore structure in depths of 30-50 feet, Stock is finding an abundance of Spanish mackerel. Free-lining live shiners on the surface is resulting in consistent action for these high-speed fish. While targeting macks, Stock is seeing an occasional cobia swim up to the boat to investigate the commotion. Casting live shiners or pinfish to these brown bombers is resulting in a hook up.
The permit bite was consistently good in the past week, according to Stock. The fish are being found on offshore structure in depths of 70-80 feet. Casting live pass crabs around wrecks and reefs is resulting in permit in the 20-pound range.
Capt. David White of Great White charters is targeting spotted seatrout throughout the grass flats of Southern Tampa Bay. White is finding the best action for trout during the higher stages of the tide. While targeting trout, White also is hooking into ladyfish and Spanish mackerel.
Fishing structure in Tampa Bay is proving to be good for White. Spanish mackerel are in abundance and striking free-lined baits. Mangrove snapper are present on structure for anglers with a bottom rig and a live shiner.
Additionally, snook are being caught around the mouth of small coves and bays. Mangrove edges where tidal current exists are holding respectable numbers of fish.
Capt. Warren Girle is working offshore around the artificial reefs in depths of 30-40 feet of water, waiting for schools of large jack crevalle that patrol these areas. They provide great action on medium-heavy tackle with sizes ranging from 15-20 pounds. They are one of the strongest fighters for their size. Although there is no food value to them, they are a welcome sight for anglers hoping to put their stamina to the test.
Other species being caught around the reefs include near limits of mangrove snapper and some large barracuda.
Moving inshore, Girle is working north of Sarasota Bay to find “red tide free” waters.
In Terra Ceia Bay, Girle is finding numerous redfish and spotted seatrout. Along the shorelines north of Terra Ceia, he’s finding some good action on snook for his clients. Free-lined live shiners are the bait of choice for all three species.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing pier anglers reeling up a variety of species. Pier fishers using shrimp as bait are catching black drum, redfish and mangrove snapper. Those fishers using live pinfish and shiners are being rewarded with catch-and-release snook — both too small or too big to keep. Artificials such as Gotcha plugs, silver spoons or jigs are resulting in numerous Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is finding action on redfish for his clients. For the reds, Gross is fishing along shorelines where both turtle grass and oyster bars exist, as well as near structure, such as seawalls and docks. For bait, Gross is using live pinfish 2-3 inches in length. He says these small “pinnys” are like candy for the redfish right now.
Spotted seatrout are being caught with regularity. Live shiners cast amid deeper grass flats with depths of 5-7 feet are resulting in rallies of specks. Keeper-size fish are not as apparent as the smaller ones, but the sheer number of fish being reeled to the boat makes up for the lack of slot fish.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is flats fishing in Tampa Bay, dodging red tide. Cleaner water existed in the past week — pre-Hurricane Matthew’s winds — north of the Manatee Avenue bridge and south of the Sunshine Skyway bridge, providing Lowman a vast coverage area. Snook fishing along mangrove edges in Miguel and Terra Ceia bays is resulting in many schooley-sized snook. Lowman is finding an occasional redfish ready to take bait among the snook.
Moving out to deeper flats on the outside of Terra Ceia and Miguel bays, Lowman is finding a mix of species — trout, bluefish, macks and ladyfish — all takin live shiners as bait.
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