Tampa Bay Fishing, Tampa Bay Flats Fishing Charters

Anna Maria Island - 20 Aug 2010

Hi everyone, hope you are having a great summer. Fishing has been pretty good in these parts. It’s hot out there now so early morning days are more the norm for me this time of year, at least we get a sea breeze here on the coast which sometime cools us off enough that you don’t mind the heat. Just depends on where you are anchored.

Red fishing has been picking up with lots of bull Reds around. Pretty much the norm for this time of year in August, September and October, some of the very best months for Redfish although this past winter and spring we had some days that are tough to beat any time of year on Redfish. Late summer is traditional the best time of year to catch the large bull Reds and as usual they are right on queue. Some of the larger ones are pushing 34 inches plus and most are over 29 inches. I guess that while we are talking about Reds I must say it’s very promising to see the Redfish doing so well, I think the stocking program is really taking effect and should just get better and better each year.

Trout fishing is also starting to heat up. They got a little tough there for a few weeks, but that happens from time to time in the summer. There is plenty of nice trout out there to catch with plenty of nice keeper size to eat as well.

Snook have been slow due to low stock which is no surprise; I’m still catching a few while Red fishing and I have been seeing a few more lately which makes me happy to see. I have actually seen a few real nice schools of them around here and there. Though the snook recovery has a long way to go I’m glad to see the state has kept the season closed which is a great start. A catch and release fishery for Snook is really the way to go if we want to get back to the days of multiple 40 inchers on the shallow flats on 10 pound test spinning tackle.

Tarpon are still available and I’m still doing a few early morning charters for them. We leave at 5 in the morning to catch them because the Tarpon bite is done by 10:30. The first few hours can be really good and a few days we have hooked over a dozen in a couple hours and have had 3 on at one time.

Shark fishing has been great as well. Black Tips, Black Nose, and big Bulls are everywhere and make an easy target.
Little Tunny and punishing Mackerel fishing have been fast. We have had some Tunny over 15 pounds. Pound for pound Tunny might be the hardest fighting fish that swims. We have been catching them on small live bait and glass minnow flies.
The bottom fishing offshore is pretty good. There is plenty of nice size Snapper offshore and in the bay. There is also still quite a few Grouper fairly close in as well.

Well that’s what we having going on in these parts this month. Hope you have enjoyed the report. Have fun fishing and keep those baits in the water.

Capt. Matt
800-521-2872