Temperatures have been hot but so has the fishing charters in Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay redfish bite has been on fire. We are wrapping up our summer time fishing and getting ready to transition into our fall redfish run.
The redfish spawn starts in September and lasts through November. Redfish school up on our area grass flats to feed and prepare to spawn. We will see fish ranging from 4lbs up to 20lbs. We will be fishing light tackle gear. Penn Conflict spinning reels and Penn Legion rods. 1/0 Daiichi circle hooks with 18”-24” 25lb Berkley Pro Spec fluorocarbon leader. Bait of choice will be cut pinfish or live sardines.
The Tampa Bay snook bite should start to heat up as temperatures cool down a little. Most fish are starting to move from the beaches and staging in there fall areas. Snook will be eating heavily to prepare for the cooler months ahead. Fish will range from 3lbs up to 12lbs with some bigger females over 15lbs. We will be fishing with the same gear as the redfish.
Trout fishing charters has been steady all summer in Tampa Bay. As temperatures fall, look for schools of fish to move onto our grass flats along with the big “Gator” trout. Trout are great species to learn how to fish artificial lures. They are easily fooled and will usually eat throughout the day. I usually start with topwater plugs in the morning, then move to soft plastic jerk baits, as the sun gets high in the sky. They will also eat live or cut bait.
To book a Tampa Bay fishing charter with fishing guide Captain Will Shook, call 813.732.5971 or email CaptainWillShook@gmail.com