1 At Big Pier 60 in Clearwater, black sea bass up to 15 inches, reports Larry Holder. Catch-and-release snook in the mid-30-inch class were good late at night last week, but slower this week. Also trout at night. Spanish mackerel and flounder off and on in mornings. Water temperature 85 at noon Thursday, up slightly from a week ago.
2 At Madeira Beach, red snapper season went out with a bang, “fantastic” in 130 feet but the season closed on Tuesday. Gag grouper going strong in 65 feet, with red grouper and scamp mixed in out to 130 feet along with amberjack, yellowtail snapper and huge mangrove snapper.
3 At John’s Pass, fishermen getting out at first light for catch-and-release snook on the beach. Trout and redfish just fair early on flats in Boca Ciega Bay.
4 At Fort DeSoto Park, catch-and-release snook better this week in troughs along the beach close to Pass-a-Grille and Blinds Pass. Redfish and trout decent on flats early mornings on greenbacks or artificials. Spanish mackerel good off Blinds Pass.
5 Around the Sunshine Skyway and lower Tampa Bay, redfish, trout and catch-and-release snook are looking for clean water.
Kingfish will be here mid March as water temps rise so will the bite…. Inshore and Offshore species will be in full swing by April ! Spring is a great time to fish on the west coast of Fl.
Cooler winter temps have not slowed the bite… Nice size Trout and sheephead have shown themselves in good numbers in Tampa Bay. Fishing should stay strong until water temps drop below 60.
Tight Lines !
Tampa Bay fishing charter report:
October is here and Tuna and Kings are starting to show up in all their deeper offshore haunts. Water temps are hovering right at 80 degrees.
Large bait pods are cruising the beaches at 20 to 40 ft the first influx of “beach” Kings will be here shortly..
Tight lines,
Captain Mark Maloney
St.Pete Beach Fishing