No trace of red tide in upper Tampa Bay.

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Cownose Stingray.

My last three bookings came from anglers staying in hotels on Pinellas County beaches. The first thing they asked me was about the fishing in the bay since red tide continues to plague the Pinellas coastline and kill fish.

That is not the case where I’m fishing. As a matter of fact, the fishing is pretty good but I’m only catching a few snook and redfish right now, because the water is too cold and they’re lethargic. What I am catching is seatrout, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, jack crevalle, ladyfish, bonnethead sharks and stingrays. As an added bonus, you’ll see plenty of manatees and dolphins up close and personal.

I know what you’re thinking! I came to Florida to catch snook and redfish. Well, come back in a couple of months, because we just experienced the coldest Christmas in 40 years and the water temperature is still in the low 60s.

Most people visiting our area just want to feel something on the end of their line this time of year. If that’s you, book me and let’s go have a good time. No matter what time of year, something is always biting in Tampa Bay.

Remember, “if you’re not fishing, you’re not catching!”

If you enjoy reading my fishing reports, you should check out my most recent post. Please like my Facebook Page to receive updates. For charter reservations call/text Wade at 813-286-3474.

Winter Fishing is Here!

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Snook have moved into the back bays for the winter.

During the first half of this month, we had to endure summer like conditions, but for the rest of December we will be experiencing below normal temperatures. This change has fish on the move and unpredictable. As we settle into winter however, fish will become more stationary and willing to eat.

Snook are moving into the back bays with muddy bottoms for warmth and on frigid days, are more active from noon on. Snook tend to move slower in the winter also. This is the easiest time to catch them on a large shrimp or a piece of cut bait.

Redfish have moved into the creeks and rivers throughout Tampa Bay and tend to prefer banks lined with oyster beds and in the deeper bends. Residential dock pilings are another place to locate redfish. Shrimp is an excellent choice of bait for redfish during the winter. Whenever I am using shrimp, I break some up and use as chum also. The smell of shrimp in the water attracts redfish and other species as well. Chunks of cut up ladyfish is excellent bait for redfish too.

Seatrout prefer deeper water in the winter months as well. I have found over the years seatrout will mingle with redfish, but with snook, not so much. Many times, I will go to one of my favorite redfish spots and start catching seatrout. A few bonuses about winter fishing for seatrout is they love shrimp, and they do not have worms.

I have not seen an influx of cobia or sharks at the power plants yet, but that should change after this next cold front. The unseasonably warm weather conditions that we experienced most of this month has kept the bay water temperature in the low 70’s, so the action at the outflows has been disappointing.

No matter what time of year, something is always biting in Tampa Bay.

If you enjoy reading my fishing reports, you should check out my most recent post. Please like my Facebook Page to receive updates. For charter reservations call/text Wade at 813-286-3474.

a fish

Summer Like Fishing Continues!

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Redfish remain on most grass flats.

As we approach mid-November with the days now shorter, the water temperature is dropping, and fish are on the move. Fish are still on the grass flats, but as November ends fish will be moving into deeper water for warmth and will remain there until March. Typically, these areas are secluded with muddy bottoms protected from the wind. These could be coves surrounded by mangroves or residential canals lined with million-dollar homes.

Not only do fish move off the flats soon, so does bait. Baitfish look for the warmth of deeper water also during the winter months. Catching bait can be, and usually is, the most challenging and time-consuming part of my day. There are quite a few fishing guides who buy their live bait now because they are too lazy to brave the cold and catch their own.

I do not buy my bait, because it is not possible to buy enough to ensure you have a successful day of fishing. I catch mine the old-fashioned way, and I like it, even though I spend hours doing so. When you board Afishionado, my live-well is full.

While the flats are active right now, next month will be a different story. Snook will be stacked up in those muddy bottom back bay areas. Redfish and seatrout will be in deep residential canals and along oyster-lined creek banks.

Afishionado awaits you, make your reservation today!

If you enjoy reading my fishing reports, you should check out my most recent post. Please like my Facebook Page to receive updates. For charter reservations call/text Wade at 813-286-3474.

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RED OCTOBER

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Tyler and Carson with a 38 and 40-inch bull-red.

One of the most beneficial aspects of October is the water temperature starts falling back into the 70’s. This drop in temperature places fish in their comfort zone, so they tend to feed more aggressively.

I refer to October as Red October because redfish are in the midst of their annual spawn and large schools of bull-reds could show up just about anywhere throughout our region. It’s not uncommon to see schools of 100-300 redfish this time of year. At times schools of large bull-reds can be spotted just about anywhere throughout Tampa Bay. When I’m out and about and see a big red blob moving through the water, I know it’s most likely a school of reds. Should we be fortunate enough to run into a school while you’re on a charter, it’s possible to catch fish for hours on end.

October’s cooler days and nights also trigger snook to go on a feeding frenzy. After months of spawning, they develop a huge appetite and begin to put on weight for the pending winter. When pursing snook, I always have a live well full of scaled sardines and chum my fishing spots generously.

The seatrout population took a hard hit during the last red tide, but upper Tampa Bay wasn’t affected, so it’s possible to catch a limit. The seatrout are in the deeper areas of the grass flats right now, but as the water temperatures continue to drop, they will be moving to shallower water.

The mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel fishing will continue to be active around any submerged structure, bridge pylons and rock piles. I always, get the action started by chumming. Chum and they will come!

Red October only comes around once a year, so if you want to catch a beast, now’s the time.

If you enjoy reading my fishing reports, you should check out my most recent post. Please like my Facebook Page to receive updates. For charter reservations call/text Wade at 813-286-3474.

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Shorter Days, Cooler Water, Better Fishing.

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The snook and redfish action will be on the increase.

With fall just a month away, the fishing will continue to improve day by day.

August has been a brutal month for fishing. The water temperature early on was hovering around 90-degrees, now it’s right at 88. Believe it or not, just a slight temperature drop makes a big difference in fish activity.

Inconsistency has been the biggest issue. One day the fishing is pretty good, the next day, not so much even if you fished the same spot the day before and killed it.

Well, that’s all about to change. Shorter days allow the water to cool off and as we transition into fall on September 22, our overnight weather temperatures begin to drop. This combination really fires up the fish.

A couple key fishing regulations kick in on September 1, snook reopen to harvest and there’s a new two redfish per vessel limit, regardless of the number on anglers aboard.

Once October gets here fuhgeddaboudit, the fishing will be insane, so book your charter today.

If you enjoyed reading this fishing report, please visit and like my Facebook Page to receive updates. To book a charter reservation, call/text Wade at 813-286-3474.

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Summer Fishing is Literally Hot!

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Scott Temonia with a 38″ Tampa Bay snook that he caught recently in only two feet of water.

The fishing for the remaining of summer doesn’t change very much. What does change however, are the tides.

The water temperature right now is hovering around 90 degrees, so it’s important to fish during a strong moving tide. The reason for this is simple: A moving tide tends to cool the water a bit and fish are more active. It’s also important to start fishing early in the day. I’ve been catching bait at sunup and picking up my clients at 7:30AM. This allows anglers to fish during the cooler part of the day and get off the water before the daily afternoon thunderstorms move in.

The one consistent element you encounter while fishing during the summer is change. Every day is different. One day the snook fishing will be on fire and the next smoldering. Same with redfish. One day you will encounter a school of fish and the next day, just a few. Even on slow days though, there’s always something to catch. While this change may be constant, we do regularly catch mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, seatrout and sharks.

If you’ve never fished Tampa Bay before, call Afishionado for the experience of a lifetime.

If you enjoy reading my fishing reports, you should check out my most recent post. Please like my Facebook Page to receive updates. For charter reservations call/text Wade at 813-286-3474.
 

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The mangrove snapper spawn is on!

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Chris, Megan, Sara, Nikki, Dalton and Anna all caught mangrove snapper. Chris even achieved an inshore slam.

Now through the end of July, mangrove snapper are in full spawn and the fishing is insane. Just about everywhere I fish, I catch snapper. The typical places that I target snapper are bridges, range markers, rock piles and artificial reefs. Lately though, I’ve been catching them while targeting snook, redfish and seatrout.

This time of year, the snapper are so aggressive they’re beating the other fish to my live bait chum. The best part, some of these snapper fight so hard, you’d think you just hooked a snook.

Speaking of snook, they’re spawning also. So, now is an excellent time to catch the snook of a lifetime. On just about every charter someone has caught an inshore slam, if not everyone. An inshore slam is achieved when you catch a snook, redfish and seatrout on the same outing. Why not be next?

I’m usually too busy to update my fishing reports as often as I’d like so, if you’re interested in seeing my most recent post, please like my Facebook Page to receive updates. For charter reservations call/text Wade at 813-286-3474.
 
If you’re looking for a lot of action, now’s the time!
Once aboard Afishionado, you’re hooked!

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It’s Spring Fishing Season!

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This party of six kicked off the spring fishing season.

March 20th was the best fishing year-to-date.

It just so happens I had two-four-hour charters on the first day of spring, and except for one spot, we caught fish all day. The redfish and snook just wouldn’t leave our baits alone. The best part, we were catching them in the same location. Fish after fish, we weren’t sure if it was going to be a redfish or snook until we got a hook-up.

Now, I’m not saying the fishing prior to that day has been all bad, just not as explosive. The good news is spring is here and the fishing is only going to continue to get better.

If you like to catch or have never caught snook and redfish, now is the time. Call today and book your world-class fishing adventure today.

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Redfish and snook are coming on strong.

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Kevin and Jany Gavaghan display two over-slot redfish.

The weather has been inconsistent this winter, to say the least. One week it’s been hot, the next week it’s been cold, but mostly hot. This has had the water temperatures fluctuating all over the place. One day the fishing would be good, the next, not so good.

Well, I’m happy to say that is all changing for the better.

With spring just around the corner, the grass flats are coming alive with redfish and snook. Not only that, but there’s also a lot more activity than just a week ago, and it will only continue to get better. Most outings lately have been producing a good mix of redfish, snook, and bycatches of jack crevalle and ladyfish to make the outings even more exciting.

Spring break is coming up, so now is the time to make your reservations for some excellent inshore sportfishing.

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What a Momentous New Year!

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This month marks a quarter of a century that I’ve been in the guiding business.

Let me tell you…Guiding customers to fish over the past 25 years full-time, hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been rewarding. Watching and coaching people to catch snook for the first time is still exciting. Teaching kids how to fish is worth every alarm that wakes me up at 3:30AM to prepare for the days charter. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they’re reeling in one redfish after another, justifies the hours that I put in catching bait before my clients even board Afishionado.

Through the years, I’ve witnessed more than a few phenomenon that has affected the Tampa Bay area waters. There have been several brushes with Hurricanes, three severe outbreaks of red tide, and the worst of all, the massive influx of boats both, recreational and commercial.

Starting in 2020 during the pandemic, people weren’t working or traveling so they bought boats and started fishing. Since then, Fridays resemble what Saturdays used to look like on the water, and Sundays now look more like the Fourth of July!

Additionally, over the past four to five years there’s also been an abundance of people getting into the fishing guide business. Now I’m not opposed to legitimate professional competition, it makes everyone better. However, that hasn’t been the case, for the most part. Many of the newbies lack customer service skills, have little to no dignity or work ethic and provide their customers inferior equipment.

After 25 years, I still, look forward to sharing in the experience of people catching some of Florida’s most popular inshore species on spin, fly or plug. I always have, and always will strive to offer the best possible fishing experience for every charter from my boundless energy and strong work ethic, to providing quality rods, reels, and the knowledge to make it all pay off.

I won’t be guiding for another 25 years, but I’ll be at it for another five, maybe ten! So, what are you waiting for, call me?

I’d be happy to set my alarm clock for you!