Tarpon fishing at the Tampa Sunshine Skyway has really began to pick up.
Tarpon in the 50-150lb range are being taken on both ends of the bridge.
Most tarpon anglers have concentrated tarpon fishing on the South end
shadow lines. Free-lining live threadfins has been getting it done for
Skyway tarpon anglers. Incoming or out-going has not made much of a
difference as long as there has been good tidal flow.
Tampa Skyway jewfish have been gourging themselves on anything that swims.
Most Tampa jewfish taken at the Sunshine Skyway have been around the 150
to 200lb mark. Heavy tackle is a must if anglers intend to bring these big
boys boatside. Live jack crevalle, ladyfish, rays, or spanish mackerel will
entice these brutes out of their holes. What happens next is up to the
angler. When fishing for jewfish anglers must practice caution for these
fish have extreme pulling power and must be fought with little or no drag.
The snook fishing along the Skyways lower bridges is really beginning to fire up.
Breeder female have shown up and are an absolute blast to catch. These big
girls can be taken fishing the out-going tide using live ladyfish, big pinfish,
grunts, or sardines. Freeline baits with the tide and hold on! Remember, there is still
a moratorium on snook. When caught, these fat girls should be handled with care,
recuscitated and released promptly.
