This week's beautiful weather made it almost impossible to believe that winter is just around the corner. The days are getting shorter and the sun is not quite so overbearing. As water temperatures cool, fishing will heat up. Snook, redfish and trout are becoming extremely cooperative.
Snook action has been hot in Tampa Bay. Traditional linesider hangouts are holding schools of hungry fish. On a recent trip, several snook were caught at each spot. They are inhaling live greenbacks. Other live bait or time-tested snook lures should be effective. Usually, the action will be immediate and furious. After things slow down, it usually is time to move on. There will be some stragglers, but the action is almost always front-loaded. Medium spinning reels spooled with 10-pound test and a 7-foot rod is the ideal combination for most applications on the flats.
Most of the snook have come from areas adjacent to structures. Flooded oyster bars, sea walls, rock piles, mangrove shorelines and creek mouths are great places to search for snook. These areas are their playgrounds, and they know the location of each possible place to snag your line.
Redfish schools are wreaking havoc in the Fort De Soto area. Large groups of oversized reds are working mangrove shorelines and adjacent flats. These bruisers will cramp wrists and heat up drag washers. Live bait under a float or gold spoons fished slowly have been consistent. These fish are chased and run over far too often. Therefore, an exaggerated, lengthy and utterly quiet approach is mandatory.
Smaller reds that are in the slot limit can be found north of the Courtney Campbell Parkway. Fish from 20-25 inches are the standard. At times, it seems as if they were all cut from the same mold. The key to finding reds in upper Tampa Bay is to first find the mullet schools. Oyster bars surrounded by mullet are almost always a redfish bonanza. They often are bunched up and will continue to bite until the tide has turned and starts to flow out. Once again, boat noise must be avoided.
Speckled trout are thick in the Fort De Soto area. Waist-deep water with solid patches of sea grass (turtle grass or eel grass) is the preferred scenario. Live shrimp or greenbacks under a float or small soft plastic jigs are deadly for trout. A limber rod with light line is the appropriate equipment for nice "yellow mouths." Find the right bottom conditions and then drift-fish. It is an easy and relaxing way to fish.
The weather and fishing is great right now. It should stay this way until the first major cold front sweeps through - usually about the week before Halloween.
- Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call 813 310-6531 or e-mail at www.snookfish.com
