Fishing Reports

With temperatures in the mid-80s the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to believe it’s still winter. Especially, since it’s snowing in much of the country. Visitors are not only enjoying our spectacular weather but have the opportunity to experience some of Tampa Bay’s...

With temperatures in the mid-80s the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to believe it’s still winter. Especially, since it’s snowing in much of the country. Visitors are not only enjoying our spectacular weather, but have the opportunity to experience some of Tampa Bay’s...

My last three bookings came from anglers staying in hotels on Pinellas County beaches. The first thing they asked me was about the fishing in the bay since red tide continues to plague the Pinellas coastline and kill fish. That is not the case where I’m fishing. As a...

During the first half of this month, we had to endure summer like conditions, but for the rest of December we will be experiencing below normal temperatures. This change has fish on the move and unpredictable. As we settle into winter however, fish will become more...

As we approach mid-November with the days now shorter, the water temperature is dropping, and fish are on the move. Fish are still on the grass flats, but as November ends fish will be moving into deeper water for warmth and will remain there until March. Typically,...

One of the most beneficial aspects of October is the water temperature starts falling back into the 70’s. This drop in temperature places fish in their comfort zone, so they tend to feed more aggressively. I refer to October as Red October because redfish are in the...

With fall just a month away, the fishing will continue to improve day by day. August has been a brutal month for fishing. The water temperature early on was hovering around 90-degrees, now it’s right at 88. Believe it or not, just a slight temperature drop makes a big...

The fishing for the remaining of summer doesn’t change very much. What does change however, are the tides. The water temperature right now is hovering around 90 degrees, so it’s important to fish during a strong moving tide. The reason for this is simple: A moving...

Now through the end of July, mangrove snapper are in full spawn and the fishing is insane. Just about everywhere I fish, I catch snapper. The typical places that I target snapper are bridges, range markers, rock piles and artificial reefs. Lately though, I’ve been...

The weather has been inconsistent this winter, to say the least. One week it’s been hot, the next week it’s been cold, but mostly hot. This has had the water temperatures fluctuating all over the place. One day the fishing would be good, the next, not so good. Well,...

This month marks a quarter of a century that I’ve been in the guiding business. Let me tell you…Guiding customers to fish over the past 25 years full-time, hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been rewarding. Watching and coaching people to catch snook for the first time...

If you don’t live here, you may think the fishing isn’t too good during our cooler months. Actually, it’s the opposite. With winter just around the corner, passing cold fronts already have the water temperatures dropping. This does two things. First: It pushes the...

Despite the lingering presence of red tide all along the coast from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, Tampa Bay remains unaffected. Beach anglers continue to struggle to catch fish due to the ever-changing migration of the algae bloom. Low to high concentrations...

During the last couple of weeks, the fishing has been outstanding. Daily rains have lowered the water temperature and it may have even contributed to the disappearance of the red tide. The mangrove snapper fishing remains strong, and I expect it to last for another...

All the local media hysteria reporting on the red tide issue and dead fish floating in Tampa Bay has many visitors and locals alike wondering if any fish survived the recent outbreak. I’m here to tell you, there has been little to no impact to the fishery in upper...

So, if you’re from out of state you’re probably wondering if the fishing is any good in upper Tampa Bay right now. Yes, it is! Back in March a leak from a Piney Point phosphate mining facility holding pond dumped 200+ million gallons of wastewater into lower Tampa...

The grass flats are becoming the most active since last fall. Baitfish have begun to invade the flats and the snook, redfish and trout are there to welcome them to breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you hit the tide right, the action can be non-stop. That’s the reason I...

Now that spring is upon us, the grass flats are starting to come alive. March without a doubt is the kickoff to a great fishing season. Last month the water temperatures started off in the upper 50’s, but as February progressed, they warmed up 10-12 degrees. Now the...

Last month was one of the coldest Januarys on record, and to say it had a negative impact on the fishing, is an understatement. It was so cold it even slowed the activity at the power plant outflows. Water temperatures dropped into the mid-50’s. If it had dropped much...

Winter tides are the lowest of the year. Due to that fact, many days I don’t even start my charters until noon or later. That doesn’t mean I get to sleep in, oh contraire. Most of the time, I’m still up hours before dawn and on my bait spot before the sun breaks the...

Now that cold fronts are finally passing through with regularity, the water temperature will begin to plummet. When this occurs, it’s time to fish deep. As water temperatures drop on the flats, fish start a mass exodus. Baitfish are the fish to leave, followed by...

Thankfully, the beaches have been reopened, and the economy is slowly starting to rebound.  First and foremost, today is a time to remember all the service men and women who fought and gave their lives to keep this great country free. As far as the fishing goes,...

The big debate over eastern standard time vs daylight savings time has absolutely no effect on fish. They know days are getting shorter and even, as early as last month, snook were already moving into their winter haunts. Now with major cold fronts passing through,...

September will be here in a couple of weeks, but don’t plan on keeping any snook for dinner. Not since the big 2010 winter snook kill have we had a harvest closure on the west coast. Estimates put the total number of snook deaths at one million, statewide due to that...

The Spanish mackerel fishing is excellent right now, and they’re good table fare. The key to having tasty mackerel fillets is to ice the fish down the second you bring them on the boat. Some people swear you should bleed them also. I’ve done it, and I don’t think it...

The northern tarpon migration, which coincides with their pre-spawn ritual, brings thousands upon thousands of tarpon to our area is in full swing. This gives anglers a shot at some of the best Tarpon fishing in the world during May and June. There are many techniques...

Finally, the Tampa Bay water temperature is in the 70’s to stay and it’s only going to increase from here on. Once the water temperature hits the fishes’ confront level, they become more active and in turn, very hungry. The snook fishing has been ready good all year...

As I take reservations for March and April, the number one question I’m asked is, what about the red tide? Last year’s red tide finally dissipated during the fall, so the white sandy beaches are back to normal and clear of dead fish. However, the inshore fishing along...

If you read my reports on a consistent basis, you know I preach about how nothing out preforms scaled sardines, especially when it comes to snook fishing in the winter months. Well, this winter that hasn’t been the case, for me anyway. I never thought, I would say...

As we reach mid-October the water temperature begins to drop and soon most flats should be in the upper to mid-70’s. That’s when redfish and snook start to become more active. The redfish bite is outstanding all month. Every charter that I pursued redfish, has had...

With the abundance of red tide media coverage lately, you may think our fish along the Gulf Coast are dead, not so! Tampa Bay and, as of yet, Pinellas County have not experienced any massive fish kills and fishing is strong. September 1 traditionally marks the opening...

I often say, “Despite having to catch bait, guiding is an awesome job.” If you had to get out of bed every morning at 3:00 to 3:30am, to have enough time to hit the water and catch bait before you pick up 7:30 am charter with a welcoming smile, you’d understand. That...