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For the past month, redfish seemed to have been acting like typical backsliders. They would be out of sorts for 3-5 charters and then every once in a while they would show up to be redeemed for their sins. The sin, of course, is that of not being easily caught. However, this past week we've seen the burgeoning promise of a full blown redfish revival in the Tampa Bay area.

It happens every fall that these fish will group up in large schools and eat like there's no tomorrow. And usually about his time of year we get semi-frequent previews to this autumn redfish gathering.

Late last week fishing charters in Tarpon Springs got a few glimpses of some very hot, but rather short, redfish bites. Mixed in with this were catches of spanish mackerel, small grouper, trout, and a snook or two. Bait in that area has begun to really come on strong and it has gotten larger. The bait hatchlings from the summer are growing up and they are everywhere around Anclote Key.

In St. Pete, where the "revival" has first sprung up, the bait is still very small. But the redfish, eager to regain favor with us fisherman, are willing consumers of the tiny offering. Over the last two days we've landed nearly 100 fish and they have ranged in size from 24" to 30". Fishing the small baits under a cork near mangrove islands has been the ticket.

Look for more redfish to join the revival as fall approaches. If everything shapes up nicely, we could have a full blown awakening.

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8-3-2008 - Mack Attack!

8-2008Mack It's that time of year again and the veracious toothy critters known as spanish mackerel are ruling Tampa Bay. Everywhere you look you can see them thrashing the surface as they crash small baitfish. They roam Tampa Bay is packs of 100+ fish or more ganging up on the recent hatch of sardines. When the sardine and the mackerel collide, it's a major mismatch and the mackerel win out hands down.

That's when we arrive with a livewell full of their favorite prey and "crash" the party. Their hapless prey is now disguised as such but this time rigged with barbed hooks. When strike first occurs, the sound of the drag on the reels sings out and it's game on.

When we get these awesome predators chummed up behind the boat we can catch one after another. Sometime, such as today you have to actually chase the schools of mackerel down and cast into them before they vanish (only to pop up again 100 yards down the beach).

Over the past week we've shifted our focus from an inconsistent redfish and snook bite to a fast and furious mackerel bite. Fall is coming soon and the redfish will have their day before long but for now the mackerel rule the bay.

These fish are ranging from 12" to 26" and are great table fair when smoked or grilled. They are famous for their initial drag screaming run and their tenacious attack on the bait.

We're still getting a few redfish and snook but you have to hit the tiodes just right. Mangrove snapper are still getting on line and sharks are on fire if you want to target them this time of year. Look for the inshore "big three" (redfish, snook and trout) to pick back up when the weather begins to show signs of fall approaching. For now, it's an all out "Mack Attack."

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Phone: 813.300.2147
Email: GoFishing@CaptainClay.com