Well, most of us thought last month was hot, but September continues to crank the heat. In fact my charter group got out of the boat today to walk over a sandbar, fish some potholes and cool off. The bay water temperature is 89 degrees and feels warmer than bath water. Weather and water temperature are likely to begin changing this month and activity of the fishing will increase as the appetites of the fish begin to head into the fall. I am already seeing some subtle changes in the menu, as dinners of choice, cut white bait, have been less effective and bay shrimp have replaced the pilchard 4:1.
The schools of redfish have started to collect themselves and this past week on an outgoing tide, I came across three schools what were 30-50 fish with some larger fish being present. There have been more reports that the fish are beginning to collect in the usual October haunts, however I have not changed my approach and continue to fish along the mangrove shorelines since it is producing nice redfish, and snook. My suggestion for the recreational anglers is to get out early and arm yourself with a ¼ inch cast net and some nice select shrimp and success should be imminent.
Snapper are still evident and present in the chum slick and the cast net and will steal your meals when you don't cast close enough to the mangroves. We have had good catches of snapper in the bay and over the rock piles and I look for this to continue for a while. These tasty treats would make a nice tailgate party meal as we head in the football season. Another species that should begin to produce is the flounder. Try tipping a jig with shrimp and working the weeded edges and darker bottoms.
Tarpon are still in the bay and been hanging around with the heat and can be caught on pilchards.
Some interesting catches this past month in Tampa bay have been Barracuda, fishing with a friend and his son; the barracuda took the bait and ran like a snook. The runs were pretty good and I thought we might have a keeper on the line. As I continued to give excited advice to the young angler, the jumps and flashes did not look right, there was no lateral line. As the fish got closer I could see that there would be no lip holding this fish, so we grabbed the net and landed the fish. Barracuda, not the most common of catches here in the bay and not something you see every day. Most other captains I tell about it even one of my favorite, Captain Richard Seward agreed, its' not something every angler can say they have caught in Tampa.
Which leads me into Snook fishing……………The season opened back up on the west coast of Florida September 1st, with new size regulations of 28 to 33 inches with a pinched tail overall length measurement. Catching fish within the slot has always been difficult, and fishing bigger snook is in so many ways like hunting for whitetail deer. Scouting, patience and noise are just a few of the important keys to landing the bigger fish. Many people are happy catching the smaller fish but working the bigger ones takes time and most anglers give up too soon. This week one of my regulars spent several hours trying to lure one of these edible delights to the boat. The outcome was not as we desired but then it would not be fishing if we were able to boat all the fish we wanted. All the signs were present, the popping of the chummed baits, the moving water current, and the break-offs, just no big fish in the livewell. I am sure the phone will ring and a voice on the line will say, "can we give those snook another try"? Oops, the phone is ringing………….
If you're looking to book a date and take advantage of this fine time of year and hopefully some cooler weather to come, …..give us a call at...... 813-477-7657 or 941-238-7597.
Captain Jim Savaglio www.inshoreslam.com