Snook action has been fair, and is now open. You’ll find plenty of large fish around bridges and docks especially at night with free-lined baits like pinfish, greenbacks and jumbo shrimp. Fish the broken bottom grass flats and mangroves for some exciting action using live bait or artificial lures.

Mangrove Snapper: If you’re looking for some late summer fun particularly for the youngsters, take them snapper fishing. Not only are these fish fun to catch, but they are great eating. Small free-lined greenbacks or pieces of fresh shrimp around markers, bridges or rock piles will usually result in a limit of fish. If the tides are strong, add enough (weight (1/4 – 3/8 oz); knocker rig) to keep the bait down. You might also have to go lighter on the leader 12-15 lb. and smaller on the hook #1; for some reason the get really hook shy after you catch a few. Here’s a tip: Put them on ice immediately, this make them much easier to clean, because it gels the fat in their stomach keeping it from sticking to your knife.

Mackerel and Blue Fish: Tampa Bay is still loaded with plenty of threadfins, so if you’re looking for some amazing, light tackle action Mac’s and Blues are excellent targets; then toss in a nice blacktip shark and could it get any better? Threadfins are everywhere, but look around marker cans, range markers or shallow reefs. Anchor up current, toss out a few baits or cut a few into pieces for chum and throw to the striking fish; then make sure you’re hanging onto your rod and reel.

Redfish action will be steady with fish moving around the area. If they’re grouped up always approach carefully; you don’t want to split the school. When approaching fish pole or slow troll within casting distance, Power-Pole; down and get off the bow, so as to present a low profile. Make your cast to fish on the outer edges of the school and remember to never cast into the middle of a school unless you want to spook the fish. Reds eat shrimp, greenbacks, pinfish and crabs. If they’re not looking for live, remember cut bait always works.

Spotted Trout is productive around Tampa Bay grass flats. But keep in mind it takes moving water to get them eating, be sure to fish the open sand holes throughout the grassy areas. Popping corks with artificial DOA or Gulp Shrimp or live shrimp all rigged by hooking through the carapace. Don’t forget greenbacks if you’re able to net your own bait. Deeper water rocky bottoms and some markers are producing some really nice catches of larger silver trout.

Cobias are still hanging around some flats and we’re seeing a few while mackerel fishing especially if we’re cutting baits or using chum bags. They are also on the markers and can be caught throughout the bay if you’re interested in using a lot of fuel.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore is the areas top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.  Visit his website at: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, send an email to wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.