Tampa Bay April Fishing Report
As expected the fishing is awesome, it's April and there is almost no need for a fishing report. So here it goes anyway. Pretty much everything is biting. Whether we are fishing inshore or offshore the action is fast and furious.
Inshore the Snook fishing has been surprisingly good. I had some days this week where we landed over 50 snook. They were literally biting as fast as you could cast to them and we left them biting. Two winters ago the freeze did kill a lot of them, but apparently there is more left than we all thought. It's great that the state has a closed season on their harvest, maybe someday the Snook fishing will be back to the way it was 20 years ago. Back when a 40 inch Snook was a much more regular catch.
Trout fishing has been great, 24 inchers are a normal daily catch and my largest have been in the 27 to 28 inch class.
The Redfishing is picking up. I have been catching some nice keepers mixed in with the Snook.
There is also a lot of nice Spanish Mackerel mixed in with the Trout and a few nice Flounder.
Offshore the Kingfish have moved in. There are a lot of Kings in the 8 to 15 pound class with our largest running 30 pounds. There are also some nice Mackerel mixed in with the Kingfish.
Grouper are everywhere; you don't have to go very far to get keepers. The larger Gags are running 30 inches. Grouper are one of my personal favorite to eat.
Permit fishing is still strong and on the calm days chances are very good to hook a few. Most of the Permit has been larger in the 20 to 40 pound class.
There is also some Cobia roaming around on the beaches and on the offshore wrecks.
Huge Amberjacks are all over the wrecks farther out and running 30 to 70 pounds.
Tarpon fishing is solid now for resident Tarpon. There are a good fishable number at the bay area bridges. I have also been seeing quite a few roaming around on the flats. Tarpon season is right around the corner and the migration will be here shortly. As you all know Tarpon is my favorite thing to fish for. I was fine tuning my beach Tarpon rods today as matter of fact. I still have a few days during the peak migration, May thru July.
Well I hope you have enjoyed my report. The weather and fishing couldn't be better and I hope all of you get a chance to get out and enjoy it.
Capt. Matt
www.captainmatt.com
www.tarponfish.com
Cell – 941-447-9888
