So far I can't say it's been much of a winter. I only remember one charter since mid December when I really needed to bundle up and then only for the ride. Checking a few local spots the other day we found plenty of fish and a few Snook still lounging around the flats in shallow water. If I remember correctly several years ago we had a similar situation where the cold weather seemed non existent and the fish were happy enjoying the extended warm days. Then seemingly without warning a major cold front moved in catching everyone and the fish completely off guard. The water temperatures dropped into the low fifties and high forties resulting in a major fish kill. It especially took its toll on the Snook who are least tolerant of temperatures in the fifties. Hundreds perhaps even thousand died as a result of the severe cold water. It looked almost like the red tide episode a year a couple of years ago.
Folks in the know seem to think this El Nino thing will keep the temperatures in check but bring plenty of rain… not necessarily a bad thing. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for a mild winter.
Overall fishing has been good in the bay area with plenty of Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, and Sheepshead being caught. A few Cobias reported around the power plants and plenty of smaller Black Tip, Bull, Bonnet, and Hammerhead sharks willing to give you a tug. Without the colder water temps needed send them looking for warm water they are not as bunched up as usual. But when they are you can bet you'll have plenty of company fishing the warm water runoffs. Shrimp always work and using a small jig head makes it easy to sight cast the fish.
The grouper bites been fairly healthy, inside the bay. I've had the most success trolling various rock piles and structure in and around the 20 to 25 foot range. Many Gag hunters think the only place to catch inshore gags is the shipping channels. Plenty of structure around if you'll only take time to look for it on your bottom machine. Try this, when you catch a gag, mark the location and go back to see what kind of bottom you came over. Often a pinfish, grunt, sardine or piece of squid dropped down on a knocker rig at the same location will produce other nice fish.
Snook (Closed Season December 15 through January 31)
Since the season's closed why not use artificial lures? They do well during the winter but plan on fishing a little deeper. Remember they go deep seeking warmer water. In saying that, I spoke with several other captains who told me they're still catching some in the same places as in the summer. Topwater lures although loads of fun seem to work better when surface water temperatures are higher. Good choices include subsurface sinking or suspending lures. Soft plastics using at least a 1/8 oz jighead always produce during the winter. If live bait is your choice there are still some greenie's hanging around some grass flats but shrimp will always entice a bite especially if they are hungry.
Redfish normally continue being active because cooler water doesn't affect them like it does Snook. Reports of plenty of rat reds running around with the occasional group of larger fish hanging around grass flats with broken bottom, submerged oyster bars and mangrove shorelines normally hold hungry Redfish. Artificial's still work during the winter and for us diehard surface anglers they can't resist a surface walking topwater lure. Greenbacks… still seeing some around the grass flats, you just have to look for them, shrimp, dollar size pins, and cut bait.
Where to fish for Snook and Redfish in Tampa Bay: You will find them almost everywhere southeast shore including the Alafia River, Picnic Island, Simmons Park, Bishop Harbor, Joe Island down into Bradenton and Sarasota. Good fishing around Weedon Island, Fourth Street, Cypress Flats, Rocky Point, Double Branch, and Culbreath Isle Flats. The Inter-coastal, Tierra Verde, Pass a Grille and Boca Ciega offer good Snook fishing, especially at night around the docks and bridges.
Spotted Sea Trout action should go on the upswing with cooler water temperatures… we get a week of 80 degree weather. Fish the stronger tides around deepwater flats. They eat shrimp, pinfish, and greenbacks. Deeper flats, good moving water, and a Paradise Popper float from Old Bayside prove deadly in catching nice Trout. Especially when rigged with shrimp, either live or artificial. Soft plastic jerk style lures on a jighead always produce when bounced off the bottom. Remember, the bite always comes as the baits begin to fall, so don't be surprised to have a fish on just after the lure hits the water.
The same area producing Snook and Redfish also produce Trout. Look for grassy flats with plenty of sandy potholes or rocky bottoms around Picnic Island, Simmons Park, Bishop Harbor, Joe Island down into Bradenton and Sarasota. Upper Tampa Bay sports good fish around Weedon Island, Fourth Street, Cypress Flats, Rocky Point, Double Branch, and Culbreath Isle Flats.
Cobia Don't be surprised to see a one on the back of large Rays and Manatees. As the waters cool you should see them around the hot water discharges of power plants. Large shrimp on a ¼ oz. jighead normally does the trick. But small or chunk crab also works.
Sharks also frequent the warm water discharges this time of year so don't be surprise when you catch one while targeting Cobia.
Sheepshead will show up everywhere during the winter months. Try fishing for these great fighters around markers, bridge fenders, docks, seawalls, rock piles, oyster bars or practically any type structure. Shrimp and fiddler crabs always produce, but green mussels and oysters also work.
"GIVE ME A CALL & LET'S GO FISHING"
For information or to book trips call Capt. Woody Gore at 813-477-3814 Cell or 813-982-2034 Office, visit his website at WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM or Email him at wgore@ix.netcom.com. Guiding and fishing Florida waters for over 50 year's and the results are always the same "Memorable Fishing Adventures."