Fishing Forum - Tampa Bay area Fishing Report

Tampa Bay Area Fishing Report Captain Charles Walker 3/18/01 The weather for the past week has been nothing but wind, wind, and more wind. The few boats that did go out managed to catch a few grouper and mangrove snapper. Some small kings were caught around the ship’s channel offshore and the Clearwater hard bottom. On to the bait house reports: Ruskin Bait and Tackle - 813-641-2325- Grouper showed up in the channel again this week even though the winds were high. Snook and big trout were brought by the shop in good numbers this week. Lot of Spanish mackerel have shown back up in the Bay since it warmed back up. Sheepshead are so abundant, they are even being caught out in the middle of the grass flats. Buddy’s Bait and Tackle on the Courteney Campbell Causeway in Tampa - 813-287-1026- Some trout and whiting have come in this week from around the big bridge. Pompano have been caught on the flats and around the bridges. Most of the anglers have been using live shrimp. Bonnie’s Bait and Tackle in Clearwater - 727-446-2772- The winds have kept most anglers at home this week, but there were lots of trout and reds caught around Anclote this week. Snook are being caught on the inside on live bait and a few white bait have shown up on the flats. The offshore boats that have been able to get out are bringing in some grouper. Some kings have been caught this week in the 20 foot hard bottom, even on frozen sardines. Trappman’s Bait and Tackle on Gandy Blvd in St. Petersburg - 727-579-1414- Sheepshead have been caught everywhere on the bridge this week. Snook have been showing up on the flats along with trout and redfish. Dogfish Tackle on Redington Beach - 727-392-6644- Some kings are being caught in 60 to 70 feet of water. Silver trout and whiting are coming in from the beaches. Grouper are starting to bite again this week in 40 to 60 feet of water. Don’s Dock on Madeira Beach - 727-391-3223- Some small kings and a few grouper have been brought in this week. Snook are being caught around the bridge and the Pass jetties. Trout and reds are on the flats inside the pass. Everything seems to be biting on shrimp this week. Pass-a-Grille Bait and Tackle on St. Pete Beach - 727-360-6606- The few boats that went out this week caught some grouper and kings in the vicinity of the ship’s channel. The inshore fishing has been slow as well because of the wind all week. The Skyway Fishing Pier - 727-865-0668 and the south Skyway - 941-729-0117- A lot of grouper and Spanish mackerel have been caught this week. The sheepshead are still biting well and are all around the pilings on both piers. Folks, feel free to call any of the places in my report for more information, and be sure to tell them that you read about the fishing in their area in Capt. Charlie’s fishing report on the Internet. If you want more information about fishing in the Tampa Bay area or wish to book a charter, simply e-mail me at captchas@flfish.com or if you wish to arrange a charter faster, call me at 727-546-7257. Be sure and visit my web site for lots more Tampa Bay Area fishing info at: http://www.floridasaltwater.com . Good fishing and tight lines, Capt. Charlie http://www.flfish.com/fl Capt. Charlie Walker http://www.flfish.com