We decided to get out early Friday morning. Stephanie, Randy, Susan and I headed toward the skyway span. Before we arrived we made a stop to catch some bait. After a few throws of the net we had plenty of pinfish, grunts, and greenbacks. We also came across a massive school of mullet; I estimated it was a couple football fields long. We decided to throw the bait net and see if we would get any, we managed to get two in the net. The tide had switched to go out an hour prior, so we decided to stick around and fish the grass flat. After about 15 minutes and little luck we decided to move closer to the skyway in search of grouper and snapper.

We fished a nice area that has a mixture of sandy bottom and structure. It wasn’t long and up comes a nice flounder; we caught 3 keeper flounder fishing with a slip sinker rig next to the structure. We then moved to fish a few nice ledges and it wasn’t long and we were on the grouper. I would say we caught about 20 grouper on this day. We also caught many snapper. The larger grouper fed on large pinfish and grunts. Besides the 7 mph winds it was a beautiful day and a very productive one at that. We called it a day around 3 pm.

Anyone else feeling the rain syndrome? A couple weeks ago the rainy season arrives and it came with vengeance!  Not only do we have the summer thunderstorm patterns in the evening, but it has been raining non stop throughout the day on most days.

Normally I’m very inviting of storms that lack lightning, as the barometric pressure falls the fish turn on like a switch and the bite is usually phenomenal. This 4^th of July that wasn’t the case. Bait wasn’t hard to catch but the grouper, mackerel and snapper bite was non existent. We tried to weather the storms best we could and we fished through most of the light storms but it was very unpleasant. We finally wrapped it up and left with an empty cooler. Anyone else try this weekend?

A cold winter it was, so we can only expect to have a scorching summer. The past several weeks the air temperatures have exceeded 95 degrees and the water temps in the bay aren’t far behind. In some areas, the bay water temperature is averaging 92 degrees. There are a couple of options to beat the heat. Fishing early am to around 10am or before sun-down throughout the night.

Night fishing is a great way to escape the heat and find quality fish. Try fishing the incoming when cooler water is pushed into the bay. One key species that will feed great as the full moon nears is the tasty Mangrove snappers. Find some structure with a good tidal flow and you should find snapper. Shrimp and sardines will produce best. Shrimp will start their migration to the gulf to spawn. This makes for great opportunities to net up shrimp near the coast line using basic tools such as a lantern and dip net. So get out a try doing a little night fishing, it’s a different world. Until next time, tight lines, everyone

We all now how this works, yes the Florida land license was repealed by the Florida legislature and they prevailed. In the mean time other licenses and permits will increase. Two saltwater licenses where affected by the rate increases. The new fees will affect the following:

1. Snook permits will increase from $2.00 to $10.00 and lobster permits will increase from $2.00 to $5.00.
2. Turkey Permit with increase from $5.00 to $10.00 for Florida residents and for non residents will go from $100.00 to $125.00.
3. Florida waterfowl permits will increase from $3.00 to $5.00

They have now made an additional fee for deer hunting. After July 1^st we are all required to have a deer permit that will cost $5.00.

 According to FWC:

“Those with a sportsman’s license, gold sportsman’s license, 64 or older sportsman’s license, military gold sportsman’s license, lifetime hunting license or lifetime sportsman’s license will not need to purchase the new deer permit because it has already been included in each of these licenses, even if they were purchased before July 1.”

One way or another they are going to dip into our pockets.

Father’s day started off beautifully, birds chirping and the sun shining. We arrived at the boat ramp around 7:30 am, to board a 30 foot Contender.  Capt. Bill was there prepared to head offshore 50 miles.

 I loaded up all the gear and departed from the dock. On our way, we stopped and retrieved several dozen feisty baits. We had everything from pinfish, grunts to sardines. The bait wells were filled to the brim, and we were ready for some action. Checking the weather the day before we knew we would have to dodge intense thunderstorms. On our way, we ran into a cell that was just plain nasty. Seas went from a 2 foot chop to a 4 foot chop.

 Lightning was minimal and the radar indicated it wouldn’t last long so we pushed through. About 45 minutes later we arrived at our first fishing destination. We were in about 120 feet of water on an old wreck. First bait down was a pinfish, and it lasted about 30 seconds. After a few hard drag screaming pulls up comes an AJ. We caught a dozen or so and moved on to do a little grouper and snapper fishing. We moved and found a new area where the sonar just lit up with activity. First bait down, up comes a 12lb red grouper.

 We caught red grouper and there were a few gags mixed in. Snapper was non existent, it was kind of weird. We literally didn’t catch one Grey or American Red snapper. Overall the day turned out to be great and the weather cooperated in the end. I didn’t see any oil, which was nice. I’m looking forward to a tasty grouper sandwich later today.

Warm days make wade fishing a real treat. Tampa Bay produces great areas to fish but many of the areas require a boat to get out and wade. There are areas that can be reached by foot. A couple productive areas are located around Simmons Park, Fort Desoto and the Skyway flats.

I like fishing the falling tides using both artificial soft plastic baits, shrimp and cut threadfins. Some days you have to fight off the catfish but if you persevere you will find the reds. During the warmer months you have to be aware of your surroundings and watch for sting rays, they usually liter the flats and blend in perfectly with their habitat. One way to accomplish shooing them away is with the sting ray shuffle.

 Another great tip I can give you, is not to attach your stringer to your waist. I don’t think most realize how great the shark population is in both the bay and on the very same flat they are fishing. Yes most of the time you wont be bothered but don’t allow them to give into temptation or mistake your leg for a tasty mullet. Popular wade fishing rigs I use most often include a Cajun Thunder popping cork, with 2.5 feet of Fluorocarbon leader and a 2/0 Owner hook. For bottom fishing I use the same leader with a small split shot and a 2/0 owner hook.

So get out there, enjoy the scenery, be safe and have fun. Until next time tight lines!

The next 3 weeks tarpon fishing will greatly improve. Tarpon are now in their pre-spawn phase and will have huge appetites. During this time they won’t be very picky eaters.  Ideally you want to fish around the new and full moon on the strong outgoing tides.

 Spending a little time dipping up pass crabs as they float by can yield huge dividends. Tarpon will congregate in large numbers near the sunshine skyway and Egmont key. If you choose to fish artificial you can’t go wrong with imitation crabs like those from Culprit and Riptide, DOA, and Berkley Gulp. Just get out and have fun and remember to try and use stout tackle and leave the fish in the water for better survival. Until next time tight lines!

Governor Charlie Crist. requested scallop season start a little sooner due to the crisis in the gulf. Season usually opens July 1st but has now been set to open this Saturday June 19th. The season will extend through September 1st. For more information, visit www.myfwc.com.

I did manage to get out and fish the jetty today. I had snook and redfish on the brain. I packed up the fly rod, a few spinning rods and headed to the bait and tackle store to acquire a few large shrimp. When we arrived at our fishing destination the tide was really pushing in like I had envisioned.

I caught a few Mojarra and croakers and got to fishing. I like to fish right in the wash, the fish like stalking their meal as it comes over the damn. It wasn’t long and both Stephanie and I had a double header. We went through 5 dozen large shrimp and a dozen or so bait fish. The Largest fish was over slot; overall it was a fun but intense hot day.

On some days the fish you are trying to catch just won’t cooperate, therefore you have to look for alternative fishing fun. I often try and locate schools of mackerel on off days. Mackerel are great because they are easy to locate, fun to catch and the most novice of fisherman can fill the cooler.

Mackerel are tenacious fish, capable of swimming at speeds up to 35 mph; they can locate and tear baits in half within seconds. Mackerel have rows of teeth sharper than any razor blade you can purchase. You can often see fish jumping out of the water chasing fry size greenbacks. Key to finding the mackerel is locating the bait. I usually scan the horizon looking for diving birds; it’s a quick, efficient way of getting in on the action.

When you find a frenzying school of fish, you can practically throw anything at them and they will pursue. The faster the better in most cases. Favorite techniques and lures I use include:

1. Free lining greenbacks
2. Throwing a Clark spoon
3. Using a small white jig

There are many others, I’ve just listed a few of my most productive methods. So if you’re feeling down and can’t locate reds, snook etc…Give mackerel a shot, they could save the day! Until next time, tight lines!