I spoke with Patty at Ruskin Bait & Tackle in Ruskin today. She was telling me that fishing on the southeast shore of Tampa Bay is very good. Anglers there are catching redfish, speckled trout, flounder, snook and mangrove snapper from the bay, tarpon from the Little Manatee River, Bishops Harbor, and the Skyway Bridge, and a few amberjack and king mackerel from the mouth of Tampa Bay and the gulf. Redfish can be caught from under mangroves or docks and in the deep grass beds. Trout will be where they can find shade in water that is several feet deep and moving. Flounder are on sand flats and rock bottom that has good water movement. Live shrimp is the best bait for reds, trout and flounder. Drag or bounce your bait across the sand or rocks to catch the flounder. Mangrove snapper are thick along the Skyway Piers and around rock piles in the bay. Shrimp is also the best bait for mangos. Ruskin B&T has a good supply of live shrimp and other baits. Look for tarpon rolling in the river and harbor. Blue crabs, pass crabs and greenbacks are the best baits. AJ's and kingfish will be over the ship channel. For more information contact;
Ruskin Bait & Tackle
813-641-2325
1519 S US Highway 41
Ruskin, FL 33570
