By Captain Jazz
01/06/08
Winter seems to come and go. After a front, it's cold for a few days then we get a rapid warm up and the fish start chewing again. Redfish and Seatrout are not that cold sensitive like Snook being a sub-tropical fish. With plenty of bait still around so are the Blues and Spanish Mackerel. On the cooler days the fish really don't want to chase a bait like a sardine, so a live shrimp or plastic tail on a jig head has worked great. Working a DOA shrimp slowly has brought fish to the boat. Sheepheads have made a strong showing near docks and rocky areas. Water Temp is 58 and going back up.
Snook : Night dock Snookin has been good with white flies, artificial and live baits. Daytime fish points or near mangroves with deep water nearby or around bridges. Fishing at night with a strong outgoing tide has been best.
Redfish : Have been found in small schools where you catch one you'll catch more. On incoming tides, the fish move up the grass flat to the mangroves and oyster bars. Sand potholes hold fish on the lower tides. Look for schools of Mullet for places to start. Don't over look docks as they will hold fish too.
Seatrout : Are really making a strong showing now that the water is cooler. Drift the grass flats in 1-4 feet of water throwing D.O.A. shrimp, plugs and jigs/jerk baits, topwaters have caught some of my largest Seatrout in the morning, that's a fun way to catch any fish in my book.
Others: Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish are tearing it up on the beaches and in the bay. Look for schools of bait being slammed by them. Some Mango snapper on rock piles and near bridges and docks.
If you have any questions about my charters, fishin reports, send me an email.
Tight Lines,
Captain Jazz
727-409-6733
http://www.fishintampabay.com/
info@fishintampabay.com
