SALTWATER REPORTS:
WEDNSDAY 1/2/08
As December came to a close the fishing was still very good. Warmer than usual temperatures allowed us to locate fish in the shallow flats and bays that would have normally moved to their winter homes in area rivers and backwater bays.
Snook and Redfish were easy targets during this time - especially in some more remote areas we were fishing. It was the norm to catch and release large numbers of these fish with great frequency.
Another great opportunity for Sun Coast Kayak Fishing clients was the availability of really good Tarpon fishing in a number of areas. These areas are off the beaten path of most anglers and these resident populations should remain through the winter months before heading to the beaches in the spring. What has been really great is the size of these fish - averaging around 100#.
Other great action has included larger sized Jack Crevelle in huge numbers around the mouths of area rivers. They have been constant action for both novice and advanced anglers alike.
As this current cold front moves through I totally expect the fish to finally move to their winter homes in deeper area rivers and backwater areas. Areas hard to navigate by traditional power boats and making them great targets for kayak anglers.
TUESDAY 12/04/07
Big Snook and Redfish have been everywhere lately - from the flats and backcountry areas of Southern Tampa Bay down through Sarasota to Spanish Point.
All day charters have been run in southern Tampa Bay lately to capitalize on this amazing fishing. Out on the flats we have been targeting large numbers of slot size and oversize redfish. These schools have been tailing in a foot of water or less during low tides. It really has been an awesome sight fishing experience for many clients. Snook have moved back off the flats into backcountry creeks and bays. We have been taking large numbers of linesiders in these remote areas - sometimes almost a mile from the main bay.
Night fishing has been phenominal in Sarasota Bay. Large numbers of big Snook and slot size Redfish have been taken on every charter. The primary focus has been to fish along docklights and seawalls during both falling and rising tides. Some nights the redfish bite is so awesome that the snook can't get to the baits before the redfish inhale them. But when the snook do get a bite they have been really big. This has translated into some truely awesome catch and release action.
FRIDAY 11/09/07
The cooler temperatures have brought local favorites such as Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Sea Trout back onto the flats to feed before heading for their winter haunts when the first big cold fronts come through. Right now the fishing has been particularly good in southern Tampa Bay from Bishop Harbor to Joe Bay - including Williams Bayou. Snook, Redfish, and Sea Trout have been plentiful during the falling tides along the deeper edges of the shallow flats and mangrove lines. The fish have been average to above average in size.
In Sarasota Bay the fishing has been really hot along the backside of Siesta Key from the North Bridge down to the South Bridge. Redfish, Snook, and some Pompano have shown up in good numbers. Night fishing has been particularly good for large numbers of Redfish and Snook, even a Black Drum or two.
FRESHWATER REPORTS:
WEDNSDAY 1/2
Local rivers and lakes have shown great promise in recent weeks for Largemouth and crappie, as well as catfish.
Sun Coast Kayak Fishing clients have actually taken a lot of great bass in side creeks and back bays of these rivers and lakes. It seems as if the warmer temperatures have triggered them to stage up to spawn. We have even seen big bass that appear to be sitting on their beds.
Crappies - or Specks - have been getting ready to spawn as well. We have been taking large numbers of these tasty panfish. Small jigs around weedlines and structure in 5 to 10' of water have been the key to success.
Big Catfish have been congregating in the deeper holes and making themselves easy targets. Heavy gear and good fresh bait have been really successful. Another great tactic has been to drift likely areas with the baits just off the bottom until a strike occurs.
After this cold front the fish should resume these patterns by the weekend as long as another front doesn't ride in on the back of this one.
FRIDAY 11/09/07
Cooler temperatures means increased action for Largemouth Bass. As the waters cool, and the baitfish begin their fall migrations Largemouth leave their heavy cover and roam in search of large bait schools. This switch means that most Bass become open water feeders rather than secluded in heavy cover.
The Bass are feeding heavy now and finding them has been anything but dificult. Mid-morning and late-afternoon the Bass have been showing on the surface as the corral and devour small baitfish much like mackerel feeding ofshore. Using topwater lures and small crankbaits has worked amazingly. Once a school of feeding Bass is located it is possible to make repeated casts for numerous hook ups. Bass are ranging from 2# to 5# on average with much larger fish in the mix.
