Tampa Bay October Fishing Report
Wow, is the fishing good right now here out of Anna Maria. Pretty much everything we catch around here is biting and biting well. We always go through this period in October when is seems you just can't make a mistake because fish are biting everywhere.
On the flats we have been destroying the Snook, Redfish and Trout. I've had several days where we landed over 50 or 60 Snook in one morning with Trout and Reds mixed in. Other days that we have spent mostly targeting Redfish have done much the same, with Reds of all sizes from 12 inches to 32 inches as fast as you can reel them in. With lots of Trout and a few Snook mixed in. Trout are easy to find and there are a ton of keepers from 16 to 22 inches. Everything on the flats is on fire now.
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Offshore and near the beaches is equally hot. Large Mackerel are everywhere jumping on live bait, spoons and jigs. It's literally so good the commercial fisherman are hook and line fishing them. The Kingfish are moving in thick as well, a little further offshore are a lot in the 10 to 15 pound class with some 25 pounders mixed in. When the water cools just a bit more they will get even better. False Albacore are mixed in with the Mackerel and make for awesome action. We even caught some on top water plugs this week. Grouper are everywhere from right off the beach to far offshore, the Gags are biting and there are a lot of nice fish from 24 to 30 inches.
With all the pelagic (migratory fish) in the area the Sharks are on fire. Yesterday while catching Mackerel and False Albacore I had a Shark rig out the whole time and usually it wouldn't even sit in the rod holder 30 seconds without a large drag screamer. We landed a giant Black Tip, probably 71/2 ft; we hooked several Sharks that we never turned.
Cobia has also shown up to the foray. Cruising down the beach on the near shore and offshore wrecks they make for a nice bonus while targeting other fish.
I almost forgot to mention Tarpon and Flounder. I have not seen any on the beaches yet as we do this time of year, but I have heard there are quite a few in the bay. As for Flounder, I have been catching a few just about everywhere we stop whether we are inshore or offshore. A few Flounder for the frying pan always make a nice bonus.
So that about sums it up. Fishing couldn't be better so get out there and take advantage. I hope you have enjoyed my report; we look forward to a great fall of action.
Capt. Matt 941-447-9888
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