Tampa Bay Fishing Report

Tampa Bay red fishing has been red hot. Spring time weather moved in and the flats came alive. Red fish have started to bunch up for the spring spawn with the warm water temps, trout can be found in the deeper edges of the flat and pot holes.

On Thursday the 18th I had Ben Kennedy and his dad from Colorado fishing with both fly and spin, they teamed up for 10 reds and a dozen or so nice trout. The snook showed up in one pot in numbers upwards of 50 or more in the 10 to 15 pound range, but on bites.

The next day the wind changed directions and the snook left but we had more reds in one big school. Fishing with me were Mike Dressel and brother Don Dressel and good friend Wally Garde.

Using live shrimp this team of fishermen caught and released over 40 reds ranging from 15” to 34”. It was quite a day of fishing with strong NE winds blowing all the water off the flat except one large pot that had the reds trapped in. Paul Wooten took a half day off on the 24th before the rains came in and caught 10 reds, with one 34” - all on live shrimp and spinning gear.

Steve Loveledge went fishing with me yesterday before the second front of the week and managed to catch a nice red on fly and 7 on bait. When fishing in water 2 ft. or less you have to be stealthy in the boat. Any little noise will push fish out of casting range or off the flat.

Push poling is a must, noise from a trolling motor will do the same thing. I’m using 8 lb. braided clear line with 2 ft. of 20 lb. flourocarbon leader.

Tight Lines Capt. Dan Malzone