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By DAVE WALKER
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 19, 2001
Last week's brush with Tropical Storm Gabrielle stirred up Tampa Bay. The wind and waves lowered surface temperatures in the bay by several degrees. This should really kick off the fall flats season. Before the storm, redfish were around but somewhat lethargic. Snook were the same. Live bait was hard to keep alive, and it was hot! This should all change and fishing ought to return to normal.
Upper Tampa Bay has had the largest concentration of reds in our area. Weedon Island has had some redfish as well. Gold spoons, live bait and chartreuse, shad-shaped jigs are your best bet. Look for schools of mullet, which often will indicate whether a spot is holding these bruisers of the flats. If mullet are not there, move around until there is more activity present. Snapper are still very cooperative and can be found almost anywhere that has structure. Bridges, range markers, rock piles and groins, and deeper marinas are great places to search for these feisty creatures.
NOTE: The Old Salts Big Brothers/Big Sisters Fishing tournament, canceled by Gabrielle, has been rescheduled for Saturday. The captain's meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Carlie's, 7020 49th St. N, St. Petersburg.
- Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call (813) 831-0355.