Florida Fishing Reports Roundup

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Florida Fishing Reports Roundup Click for Michael Wilson's Lakeland Ledger Florida Fishing Report By JIM LEE, The Tampa Tribune Posted 5.16.08 Click here for the Freshwater Report Saltwater Look for the silver lining. Grouper fishing has remained good for a longer period because of the cool water. In 130 to 200 feet, you can catch the 20- and 30-pound red grouper and 15- to 20-pound gags. Mangrove snapper at that depth are keeper-grouper size. However, fuel prices have just about put a halt to offshore fishing for many, and others are taking fewer trips. Red snapper come into season June 1, and it’s time to get ready for tarpon. 10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin (fishtheglades.com) (239) 695-4420: If you have wanted to fish the 10,000 Islands, this is the time to do it. Cool breezes will help keep the mosquitoes from making the trip miserable. Big snook are on the hook, along with goliath grouper, redfish and trout. BOCA GRANDE: Captain Rich Knox (727) 808-6688: Tarpon are thick and getting thicker. Most days are punctuated with roughly 10 hookups. One 175-pound brute was brought to the boat Sunday. Many tarpon fights come to a halt when a shark appears, with the reel put into free spool so the tarpon can escape. If the shark doesn’t hit the line and break it, the fight resumes a few minutes later. Tarpon are in the pass, on the beach and on the inside. SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett (941) 923-7799: The tarpon season is in full swing. One fly angler had his rod separate, causing him to fight the fish with half a rod. After re-attaching it, the angler brought the fish to the boat. However, a huge bull shark appeared out of nowhere and caught the tarpon in the midsection, and the bull shark left with his prize. Nature at work. SUN CITY, BISHOPS HARBOR & COCKROACH BAY: John’s Bait & Tackle: (813) 376-1127: The big trout have moved out, but there are plenty of smaller ones. Redfish, snook, kingfish and mackerel are the staples. Good numbers of flounder have been caught recently. It is shark city, with bonnetheads and bulls leading the charge. RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle (813) 641-2010: Tarpon are taking baits around the Skyway area. Trout from 17 to 24 inches can still be caught. Redfish are the easy catch. Snook catch-and-release is going strong, and live bait still rules. WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes (813) 973-7132: Redfish are all over the bay, especially under the mangroves and docks. Throw a live greenback or shrimp back as far as possible with a split shot to keep the bait down. Plenty of mackerel and tarpon are being found around the Skyway. UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle (813) 885-9811: There are a lot of redfish in the bay. Snook, mangrove snapper and sheepshead can still be caught. Pompano should be around the bridges soon. Tarpon are moving into the bay and are around the bridges. SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins (727) 560-6762: Tarpon have invaded, and some are being caught on the outside between the fronts on flies. Some are up in the bay and are being caught on spinning tackle with MirrOlures and jigs. Pompano are thick, but most are too small. Redfish, trout and snook are still the easy catch. FISHING PIERS: South Pier (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for speckled trout, redfish, flounder and a stray grouper. MID-PINELLAS PARTY BOATS: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard’s John’s Pass Marina and Kingfish Dock (727) 393-1947: Offshore fishing is good. Fish deeper water for black sea bass, mangrove snapper and gray snapper. You might also catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches of grouper, red snapper, mangrove snapper and amberjack. CLEARWATER: Captain Richard Howard (727) 446-8962: Tarpon are everywhere. There are a lot of mackerel, but kingfish are sparse. TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox (727) 376-8809: Some guides are catching snook, redfish and mackerel. Fish the barrier islands and in the passes. HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois (alwaysfishing.com) (352) 666-6234: Grouper catches are great. Plan a trip soon, before you have to sweat to catch them. Right now, fish the 30- to 40-foot areas. KEATON BEACH: One More Cast Guide Service (850) 584-9145: Trout in the 18- to 20-inch range were caught under Cajun floats using pinfish and Berkley Gulps. Redfish, trout and a 31-inch cobia were caught by another party. Many fish were caught until the tide turned Sunday afternoon. HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez (gulfgrouper.com) (727) 992-9494: Between the grouper, grunts and other fish, it has been non-stop action. In fact, some anglers had to lay down their rods and rest a few minutes. Now that’s fishing. FLY FISHING: Tarpon are here, and if you catch a calm day you can catch a 50- to 100-pound fish. Freshwater With the full moon rising soon, bluegill and shellcracker will be back on the beds and feeding heavily. Bass action has been very good, with a few larger fish caught. Artificial lures are working well, with topwater baits working early, and spinnerbaits then worms. NORTH TAMPA: Bill’s Bait & Tackle (813) 621-4237: Bluegill catches have been great until the past week, but with the full moon coming, the bluegill and shellcracker will be back on the beds. Catfish anglers are doing well in the Hillsborough River. LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle (727) 938-2379: Good bass catches have been the norm, but they have been small, with some of the biggest weighing about 5 pounds. Bluegill have eased off between moon phases, but get ready for the full moon in a couple of weeks. KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp (863) 692-1500: Bluegill and shellcracker catches are off but will improve. That doesn’t mean you can’t catch them. They just are not on the beds, so they aren’t grouped tight. Troll with a Beetle Spin or similar small jig between beds. Bass action is a little slow. LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort and Guide Service (863) 655-0134: It is not August, but it often feels like the dog days of summer. However, the good bluegill and shellcracker catches will be back in a few days. Bass action is fair. OKEECHOBEE, THE WEST WALL: Glen Hunter Guide Service 1-800-541-7541: The lake is still very low. Bluegill are bedding, but call ahead to see if you can get to them. Some bass and bluegill can be caught in the Rim Canal. Otherwise fishing has been tough. LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge (352) 793-2061: Bluegill catches are still available and will get better by the weekend. Shellcracker are spotty. Bass action has mostly come from young bass.