Fishing Tampa's Flats and Bay

Posts Tagged ‘Tarpon fishing charters’

There are several things going on in Tampa Bay right now as far as the fishing goes. As a Tampa Bay fishing guide I am always looking for a variety of fish to catch.

Tarpon have been a very hot item with fish rolling on the beach and being caught at the bridges and passes. Either a large sardine or thread fin pitched to them on the beach or free lining pass carbs at the bridge and pass have been the ticket to hooking up.

Black Drum are still in the area with fish in the 30 to 40 pound range being caught on light tackle at the bridges. Sighting the fish and then sight casting to them with a blue crab gets some quality fish.

For the meat eater in the crowd Trout have been topping the charts for flats fishing. Getting a limit is all in a mornings work. Live sardines either free lined or under a cork has been getting the job done.

Trout

I enjoy catching fish now and then

Spectacular jumps make Tarpon fishing exciting!

Thank you for checking in and reading the reports.

If you would like to book a trip for a Tampa Bay charter please feel free to contact me.

Capt. Steve Betz

Its that time of year again. The Tarpon have shown up in good numbers in Tampa Bay.

It was this week I made my first trip of the year out to check it out for my self. My good friend Loren came along and we started our day early.

Our first stop was a small bridge to catch the beginning of the afternoon outgoing tide. I like to fish on the new and full moon tides as that is when the pass crabs begin flushing off the nearby flats and the Tarpon begin to get actively feeding.

We spent some time getting a few pin fish and fished some nearby structure catching a few grouper. Yes there is bi-catch when Tarpon fishing and it is not uncommon to hook a grouper or three.

The tide really started moving so we spent some more time gathering up pass crabs as these are the bait of choice. We then headed to the Sunshine Skyway bridge to begin making our drifts.

We ended our day hooking up on three Tarpon in the 100lb class but all three were lost to thrown hooks . That’s part of Tarpon fishing.

I was not disappointed at the results as all trips out are a learning experience.

I will be out again so keep checking the reports.

If you would like to book a Tarpon trip give me a call and we will set it up for some of the good tides.

Thanks for reading

Capt. Steve