The Snook Harvest Season, Re-Opens Today.

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.