Captain’s Corner: Jim Lemke

Captain’s Corner: Warming water

Capt Jim Lemke Times Correspondent

With the fronts slowing down in the Tampa bay area as spring gets near. It also means warming water temps are around the corner with the water in the low to mid 70’s has the bite fired up inshore and nearshore.

The Snook fishing has been good with these warmer temperature at night. We have been finding them around the major river mouths, the mouth of the creeks, and residential docks. A lot of smaller snook along with a few over slot snook mix in. the best bait is still a scaled sardine or whitebait when you can find them in the bay or make the run to the Skyway Bridge.

The Redfishing is getting better on the flats on the lower tides. I look for mullet schools on the flats and use your trolling motor to get in position and setup. If you just chase them, they will not calm down and no buddy will catch them. The best baits are live baits like Sardines or pinfish also cut ladyfish or mullet work great on the bottom.

Some schools of Mackerel are starting to show up in the bay and off the beaches when the wind isn’t blowing. The Snapper and Sheephead are still strong around the artificial reefs and rock piles around the bay.

Capt Jim Lemke charters out of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater and can be reached at (813) 917-4989 and at captjimlemke@gmail.com