Tampa Bay Fish are Alive and Well!

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Tampa Bay Charter Fishing

The Tampa Bay sheepshead spawn is in full swing!

As I take reservations for March and April, the number one question I’m asked is, what about the red tide? Last year’s red tide finally dissipated during the fall, so the white sandy beaches are back to normal and clear of dead fish. However, the inshore fishing along the coast is far from being normal.

All month the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been releasing thousands of redfish in every coastal county from northern Pasco to Collier down south, in an attempt to replenish the stocks that were decimated during 2018’s red tide outbreak. Each release included 1,000 to 1,500 juvenile fish and 25 to 30 adult redfish in every county. That equals to about 8,200 to 14,400 redfish throughout. That being said, “don’t look for a positive impact for years to come.”

The coastal communities are still reeling (no pun intended) from the devastating loss of marine life. Guides and recreational anglers alike, are struggling to catch fish. A repeat client who fished with me again this month, fished with guide out of Matlacha in Lee County the day before and they only caught one trout in four hours. The next day with me, the action was non-stop in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay is the key. The red tide outbreak never effected the inshore waters of Tampa Bay from about the Skyway Bridge north. I’ve been catching adult, slot-sized redfish all winter long. The inshore fishing will take years to recover along the coast. The only glimmer of hope of a normal coastal fishery this year, is the kingfish migration and the tarpon run. I’ve got my fingers crossed!

Now back to the bay fishing! Again, the fishing in Tampa Bay is outstanding, so if you’re thinking of staying at any of the hotels on Clearwater or St. Petersburg beach, it would be well worth the short drive to fish with me in Tampa.

Here’s what’s biting at the present:

The snook and redfish are very cooperative on some of the grass flats, while trout, sheepshead, pompano, jacks and ladyfish are keeping anglers busy in deeper water.

Considering we didn’t really have an extremely cold winter, I’m sure what fish survived the red tide along the coast will make it through the year and hopefully satisfy the endeavors of all in pursuit.

Fish on!

Usually, I get too busy to write 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.

Shrimp Redfish Fishing

Shrimp is King

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Shrimp Redfish Fishing

Mother and son duo display snook and redfish caught on shrimp.

If you read my reports on a consistent basis, you know I preach about how nothing out preforms scaled sardines, especially when it comes to snook fishing in the winter months. Well, this winter that hasn’t been the case, for me anyway.

I never thought, I would say this but lately, “Shrimp is king!”

I started noticing this in late December and can attribute it to one thing. Some of the areas I fish are frequented by fishing guides who bombard the area with scaled sardine live-bait chum. My theory is the snook have gotten their fill.

Yeah, I was still getting up early and going out to catch bait, but on the way to the boat ramp, I would stop at the bait shop and buy medium-sized shrimp for insurance. Boy, has it paid off! There were days when snook wouldn’t even touch a live-bait but pounced on a shrimp. Then I noticed when other guides are in the same area fishing with scaled sardines, we’re catching two to three fish to their one.

So, I’m hooked on shrimp for now and until baitfish become more prevalent, I’m done with throwing the cast net at the crack of dawn.
Other benefits of fishing with shrimp: getting a jump on other guides. Lately, I’ve been starting my charters at 7AM. This puts me in prime fishing areas a good hour before anyone else. Not only that, shrimp are the Sara Lee of baits: everything likes them!

The western shoreline of Tampa Bay that hugs St. Petersburg is a fish smorgasbord right now. I’m catching snook and redfish side by side. Trout have been a lot more difficult to pinpoint due to the fluctuation in water temperature, but when you locate one, you’ll catch many.

One species I don’t spend very much time on is sheepshead. However, the next couple of months is their spawning season, so now is an excellence time to target them. Residential dock pilings, bridge pilings and artificial reefs attract sheepshead. Sandy potholes on grass flats are also a good place to target sheepshead particularly during the spawn.

Shrimp and fiddler crabs are an excellent choice of bait for sheepshead. Another bait that sheepshead gurus tend to use are barnacles. If you’re fishing from a boat, take a shovel so you can scrape barnacles off the pilings as you fish. Scrape some into a bucket also and put a small piece on your hook for bait. That’s right, sheepshead love to eat barnacles.

As for solid hookups. It been said, the best way to catch sheepshead is to set the hook before you feel the bite!

One bonus to sheepshead fishing on artificial reefs right now is the abundance of mangrove snapper. To get both fish to become active start a chum slick. I like to chum with pieces of shrimp that I’ve frozen from previous trips. The cool thing is, you’re likely to go back and forth catching sheepshead one bite and mangrove snapper the next.

Usually, I get too busy to write 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.

fall fishing

It’s finally beginning to feel like fall.

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fall fishing

Feeling Like Fall

As we reach mid-October the water temperature begins to drop and soon most flats should be in the upper to mid-70’s. That’s when redfish and snook start to become more active. The redfish bite is outstanding all month. Every charter that I pursued redfish, has had success. Some days, I encounter mostly over-slot fish, but during most trips, slot-sized fish were being caught.

Some local fishing guides have been complaining about the lack of redfish all year. I haven’t seen it! The whining started in early spring, way before any inkling of red tide. Without a doubt, some years are better than others, it’s can be cyclical. Back in August, when the water temperature was 90-degrees on the flats, locating schools of fish was difficult at times, I must admit, but that’s because they were staying in deeper water.

I believe, most anglers get into a rut, especially fishing guides. They go to the same fishing spots every day and expect the same results. I have a client that now fishes with me, who said he fished with a guide that literally sat in one location the entire four-hour charter while repeatedly saying, the redfish will show up, but they never did.

Not me, brother! When I roll up on a spot, I start live-bait chumming before I even bait a hook. I want to see if there are fish present and willing to eat. Once a see a few fish hit a bait, I’ll bait hooks. Then after 15 to 20 minutes if nothing much is happening, I’m moving on. Redfish are always on the move. If they didn’t have fins and tails, I’d know where they were every second.

The snook fishing has began to pick up also and will accelerate as water temperatures drop even more. Just as with redfish, when I locate a school snook I live-bait chum the entire time I’m fishing, to keep the action going for hours on end.

With the presence of red tide all long the Pinellas coast, it’s hard to say what our fall migration king mackerel run will be like this year. Typically, most of the winning tournament fish are caught within a mile from shore. I’ve got a feeling the kings are going to stay well offshore and bypass our area all together. I hope I’m wrong, but there’s no baitfish for them to eat!

Usually, I get too busy to write 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.

snook fishing

The Snook Harvest Season, Re-Opens Today.

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snook fishing

Snook Harvest Season

With the abundance of red tide media coverage lately, you may think our fish along the Gulf Coast are dead, not so! Tampa Bay and, as of yet, Pinellas County have not experienced any massive fish kills and fishing is strong.

September 1 traditionally marks the opening of snook season along Florida’s gulf coast. However, due to the devastating effect of the prolonged “Karenia brevis” algae bloom in Southwest Florida, on August 30 the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order prohibiting the harvest of snook and redfish in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier Counties.

If you want updates on the FWC Red Tide status, here’s an easy link. https://www.myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/ This map is updated weekly. Keep in mind, even though high concentrations of red tide are beginning to show up along Pinellas County, it’s located six to ten miles offshore. On top that, we’ve had a persistent easterly wind flow pattern for the last week that’s pushing it further out to sea.

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, I want to come to the Tampa/St. Petersburg area and do a little fishing, but the beaches may be a mess. Don’t stay on the beach. This area has a lot more to offer than sand and piña coladas.

Downtown St. Petersburg is only a 10-minute drive to the beach but offers dining, arts, and sports. Central Avenue is bustling with restaurants, concert venues, bars and breweries. There’s the Dali Museum and you can even take in a Tampa Bay Rays game.

Tampa can keep you more entertained, but things are scattered about the city. Tampa boast world- renowned restaurants like Burn’s Steakhouse and the Columbia Restaurant. Breweries abound, with Cigar City Brewing being at the top of the heap. Tampa has a wonderful River Walk with restaurants and museums. If you’re into theme parks, check out Busch Gardens and if you’re here during the weekend, you may be able to catch a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game. Ybor City’s, Seventh Avenue is loaded with restaurants, concert venues, bars, shops and art.

Although, not my typical fishing report, a felt compelled to get this Chamber of Commerce message out that there’s plenty to do after a day of fishing, should you make the trip.

September fishing in Tampa Bay is outstanding.

Usually, I get too busy to write 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.

So far, so good. NO RED TIDE!

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The only dead fish, clients are seeing up my way are in my FISH BOX!

The red tide algae bloom that has been plaguing the shores of Southwest Florida for months is slowly moving north. By early August, massive fish kills were being reported at Anna Maria Island and by week three, low concentrations of “Karenia Brevis” have been detected off the southern tip of Pinellas County.

08-28-18 Red Tide Status Update: Low to medium concentrations of “Karenia Brevis” have been detected just off the coast of Pinellas County. Higher levels have been detected 10 miles offshore. The good news, as of now it’s all moving out to sea.

Back in January of 2005, a small patch of red tide was spotted about 20 miles due west of St. Petersburg. Six months later, the toxic bloom left scores of dead sea life all along the shores of Pinellas County. The bloom was so intense, it even made its way up into Tampa Bay as far as the southern point of Weedon Island. I know, because I was running all my charters in the upper Tampa Bay region. The bloom finally disappeared in February 2006.

We, along the Pinellas Suncoast, can only pray that this devastating phenonium remains offshore and dissipates. Other than that, the fishing in upper Tampa Bay is outstanding.

Mangrove snapper are feeding like it’s their last meal and for many, it is! All it takes is a decent tidal flow and a little chumming to bring them to the surface. After that, it’s just a matter of dropping a bait for an immediate strike.

Anchoring and chumming excessively over structure, up tide of a bridge or near a marker, will often be pleasantly surprised at the variety of species you’ll encounter. Not only will you attract mangrove snapper, but Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, bluefish, sharks, ladyfish, cobia and the occasional tarpon will show up.

However, this doesn’t happen by accident. You must chum, chum, and keep chumming. This is key to success when I’m fishing the grass flats for snook, redfish and sea trout also. The only difference is, when I’m chumming deep water, it’s mostly with fresh cut-bait. In the shallows it’s primarily, live-bait chum.

The point is, if you’re not chumming, you’re not going to catch much. I see anglers all the time on their boats with a rod in the rod holder or in hand, and just sitting there waiting for a bite. Boring! Get off your butt, if you want to catch fish. I tell clients all the time, “fishing isn’t a lounge sport!”
All this rain and warm water temperatures has slowed the snook bite a bit, but on days with a good tidal flow first thing in the morning, it hasn’t been all that bad. It just takes a little extra chumming to get the action going.

As for redfish, they’re starting to be a little more predicable lately. At least now, when I target them around certain oyster beds, I can expect them to be there. Then again, some days I really must chum excessively to get them to eat.

Bottom line. This time of year, fish can get very lethargic due to the sauna like conditions. But, if you have your live well loaded by 7am and chum non-stop all day. You will dramatically increase the amount and quality of the fish you catch.

Featured Photo: The only dead fish, clients are seeing up my way are in my FISH BOX! Here’s a typical summer mix of mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, trout and redfish.

Usually, I get too busy to write 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.

successful fishing

Flexibility is The Key to Success!

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successful fishing

Flexibility is the Key to Success!

I often say, “Despite having to catch bait, guiding is an awesome job.” If you had to get out of bed every morning at 3:00 to 3:30am, to have enough time to hit the water and catch bait before you pick up 7:30 am charter with a welcoming smile, you’d understand. That being said, it’s important not to overload your live-well with bait during the summer months, unless you want to risk it dying.

I am a glutton for bait, and a firm believer that you can never have too much, but I even take precautions not to overdo it this time of year. Once I load main 55 gallon live-well, that’s equipped with two 1,100 gph pumps with bait, I know I’m set for the day. Then before I leave my bait spot, I transfer four to five scoops of bait to my rear auxiliary 20 gallon live-well to give them more wiggle room.

Understanding the tidal flow for your fishing area on the day you choose to fish, is of the utmost importance for success. By sunrise, the water temperature is already in the mid-80’s and it only gets warmer as the progresses. By no means should you go onto a grass flat during the tall end of a falling tide without monitoring your bait repeatedly. If you start to see it fluttering sideways or the surface gulping for air, it’s time to exit that area immediately and hope you salvage enough of your hard-earned bait to finish out your day.

Enough about bait, let’s get to the fishing!

The mangrove snapper bite is outstanding. So much so, as soon as you start chumming, dozens are coming to the surface. Once a chum slick is established, the best way to catch them is to drift your bait back with the chum. As soon as you notice line start rushing off your reel, close the bail with your hand and start reeling until your line is tight.

If you like Spanish mackerel fishing, now’s the time to catch some monsters. Anchor your boat over some hard bottom, an artificial reef or up tide of a range marker and start a chum slick. This time of year, chumming is the key to a successful today of fishing.

Some days, the Spanish mackerel or so big, you’d swear they’re juvenile kingfish as they approach the boat. Motto: Chum and they will come!
As far as the snook and redfish bite, it’s been inconsistent at best. Both species are feeding best during a strong tidal flow around a high tide and some days are better than others. Don’t be one of those guys who only wants to catch snook or redfish right now. Will you catch some fish? Yes, but adding other species to your list will make the day much more rewarding.

Featured photo: Last month, I helped organize another corporate tournament and was fortunate to have Alyssa Schutter onboard, who was celebrating her 23rd birthday. Boy was luck on her side. Once I moved onto a grass flat and anchored, Alyssa’s first cast yielded a redfish. Her second cast a snook and the third, a trout. Alyssa accomplished an inshore-slam, in about fifteen minutes. That’s unheard of and in record time aboard Afishionado. Happy Birthday Alyssa and congratulations or winning the inshore-slam division!

Usually, I get too busy to write 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.

Tampa Bay Redfish

It’s Inshore Slam Time!

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Tampa Bay Redfish

JP Displays The Tampa Bay Redfish That Completed His Inshore Slam.

The big three Tampa Bay inshore species, snook, redfish and trout, are feeding heavily right now. This makes the task of catching an inshore slam a real possibility. This feat is when an angler catches a snook, redfish and trout on the same excursion.

JP Benzschawel did just that on a recent charter with his dad and friend and this is how it played out.

We started out catching snook along some mangrove shorelines. The snook fishing is outstanding right now, so the action is fast and furious. After following an incoming tide and catching 30 or more snook in a few different areas, I decided to stop by a trout spot while on the way to catch some redfish along some oyster beds.

Once at our trout spot, I did a little live-bait chumming and everyone set out a bait. Not wanting to spend too much time on trout, we caught a few and left in the pursuit of redfish.

As we neared high tide that day, I setup adjacent to a large oyster bed and chummed constantly while everyone fished. On this day, there were more snook in my redfish spot, than redfish. However, we did manage to catch a couple redfish along with many more snook.

Every day is different on the water, but this is an excellent time of year to score an inshore slam. If you’ve never achieved one, give me a call.

Usually, I get too busy to write 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.