Fish Logs

.Redfish are running everywhere. Trout are running everywhere. The Spanish Mackeral are starting to show. Everything is just about to happen. But, were still waiting! Waiting for our water temps to get right. Our spring bite should be in full swing, but with water temps still in the mid 60’s the fish are still not very settled in and getting comfortable. I got some great reports of  Redfish schools actually eating baits up around Weedon Island and on the 4^th street flats as well. I managed to find a few of my favorite deep water docks that were holding fish that would actually bite. Live shrimp tail hooked with a ¼ ounce split shot up the line about a foot was the ticket. Patience was the key as was the moving water.

   The Black Drum circus is still in full swing as the giant herds have not yet grown tired of all the boat pressure. Live select or jumbo shrimp are the best bet with Capt. Woody Gore reporting they’ve taken a liking to 4 inch Berkley Gulp Shrimp in New Penny. There are 3 or 4 big schools of these awesome fish around the mouth of Tampa Bay so there’s no need to all fish the same school.

   The Trout bite also remains fairly steady with good numbers of 14 to 17 inch fish. Drifting the flats with DOA CAL jigs is producing my best results. White with a chartreuse jig head has been the combo of choice for me. A ¼ ounce jig head is key as most of the bigger fish are coming out of 5 feet of water or more.

Catch Capt. Michael Anderson and Capt. Billy Nobles every Saturday morning on News CH8 at 6:30am and Sundays at 11:00am for the Reel Animals Fishing Show and Saturdays for Reel Animals Saturday on 970WFLA from 6:00am to 9:00am and Sunday mornings on AM620 for the TA Mahoney Co. Reel Animals Radio Show from 7am to 9am or to book a trip call 1-866-Gamefish.

This past week has been anything but fishy! High winds, rain and cold temps lead to very poor fishing conditions although some die hards are claiming to have done fairly well at the power plant out flows. Cobia, Black tip sharks, Lady fish and Trout were caught by those crazy enough to go. For those of us who chose to get our chores done it looks like relief is on the way. There is a warm up in the forecast and just in time. They are calling for an entire week of weather in the 70’s which could really turn things loose. The big Trout will get very active 3 to 4 feet of water. They have eaten the minimum for survival for months now and should really come alive with a warm up. The Redfish schools that poured in on this past moon phase should also start to get acclimated to the shallows and start more of a normal feeding pattern.

        There is also some great opportunities to catch some big Sheepshead as they also seemed to pour onto the flats with this past moon. Again some slightly warmer water temps will get these guys to fire off as well.  A shrimp on a #1 hook with a small split shot about 15 inches up the leader will work great for these fish.

        A warming trend should also drive some of our bait back to the bridges and piers and out of deep water. With more bait moving around the bay things will get right and we can put this crazy winter behind us for good!

Catch Capt. Michael Anderson and Capt. Billy Nobles every Saturday morning on News CH8 at 6:30am and on AM970 for Reel Animals Saturday from 6:00am to 9:00am and Sunday mornings on AM620 for the TA Mahoney Co. Reel Animals Radio Show from 7am to 9am or to book a trip call 1-866-Gamefish.