Tampa Bay Christmas Fishing Report
Hi everyone, it sure doesn't feel like Christmas around here. I didn't look at the temperature but I would say it must have been in the high 70's this afternoon. I'll take it, great fishing weather; calm, warm and lightly cloudy and it's been that way all fall into winter. None of the cold fronts have really amounted to much so the fishing has just been very consistent. The backwater flats-fishing is where the best action is now.
Snook fishing has just been tremendous. I can't remember the last time that we didn't catch at least 30 Snook. Some of the better days 60 or more has been the norm. A couple of days ago we had a real nice fat, heavy, healthy 37 inch Snook.
Redfishing has been really good as well. Very consist and the nice thing is they are mixed in with the Snook and jumbo Trout; so you never know what's going to be pulling on your line next. Most of the Reds are falling into the slot size and few smaller. Not many giants for us lately, but a ton of perfect size 25 to 27 inch slot fish for eating. On some of the better moments they are much like the Snook, as fast as you can reel them in. That makes my job easy when they are biting like that.
Tampa bay fishing guide report at www.captainmatt.com
Trout fishing is, to say the least, spectacular. The population is just looking heather all the time. Water temps in the high 60's to low 70's is the very best time to catch giant Trout. Right now is that time and we have just been destroying monster Trout. I can honestly say that when we are targeting Trout, lately we have been having trouble finding fish that are small enough. The limit is 4 per person, but only one can be over 20 inches. The past couple of weeks I have left the Trout biting several times after catching 20 to 30 in the 21 to 26 inch class to see if we could find smaller ones to keep. Who knows how many monsters we would have caught had we just sat there and kept catching them. It's a good problem to have. Just goes to show the health of our Trout population.
I have been offshore a few times over the last couple weeks. The fishing out there has been ok, but not spectacular. Lots of Red Grouper has been the primary catch. Plenty of keeper size Reds. There is still a lot of Mackerel out there too. The Flounder bite is also very good. If you want something that pulls hard the Tunny are plenty thick as well. I have landed a few Kings on my last few trips, and I am sure there are still quite a few around. I did just get an update from another captain that killed the Kingfish yesterday.
So that may or may not be an option next week depending on what the water temperature does. If it cools off the Kings will head south and offshore, if it stays like it is they will stick around.
Well I hope you have enjoyed my report. It's been great on the water with few boats, perfect weather and lots of fish. So if you get a chance to take a break from your Christmas shopping plan on getting out and enjoy it. Until next time, take care and I wish all of you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Capt. Matt Ercoli
941-447-9888
www.captainmatt.com
