http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/Captain-s-Corner-Fishing-is-still-hot-even-as-Red-Tide-looms_170918153
As of now, Pinellas and all of Tampa Bay are still being spared of Red Tide. It has been sitting in Manatee County for a while and has yet to push further north. I am on the water almost every day. Bait has been easy to get, and fishing continues to be hot. We can only keep our fingers crossed.
The redfish bite had been the best that it has been all year. Finally starting to see some nice schools of fish. We’ve been catching nice slot and some big bull reds. The best bite has been on outgoing tides. If you’re fishing an incoming tide and have high water, cast a piece of cut bait up under the mangrove line and let the fish find it.
Snook continue to be the most consistent bite. They are making their way back from the beaches after the spawn. Look for good transition spots where they might sit as they move back in. Good moving water, mullet and bait fish are a good indicator of where these fish will be.
I have been finding nice slot trout in depths of 4-8 feet. They have been holding in the deeper grass flats and troughs. You can expect to catch a lot of small sharks and Spanish mackerel as well. They are seemingly everywhere this time of year. If you continue to get broken off, switch to a No. 1 long shank hook. You will still be able to catch trout without losing all your tackle on the sharks and other toothy critters.
Mike Gore charters out of Tampa Bay. Call him at (813) 390-6600 or visit tampacharters.com.
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