TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Reds Are All Over Mid Tampa Bay

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Mel Berman.

Hordes of big reds have been foraging along Tampa Bay's western shoreline.

'They're everywhere from Weedon Island to well up past the Courtney Campbell Causeway,' said Bill Robinson of Gandy Bait and Tackle. 'And if you're in the right place when those creeks empty out, the fish will begin moving along the shorelines - and you'll be able to hook lots of reds, as well as snook and trout working those areas.

'Snook have been sort of hit or miss. It's hard to get one in the slot. Most are under and a few over - but, to be honest - we haven't seen much snook activity lately.'

Robinson said pompano fishing also has been inconsistent. 'Some days you can go out and catch your limit at the bridges, and other days you'll be out there for two or three hours and not catch any.'

According to Robinson, a lot of decent mangrove snapper are being caught at the artificial reefs, bridge pilings and on the many rock piles near the Gandy Bridge.

'The snapper are a bit smaller than they had been. But I know of a couple of guys who are still catching some larger, keeper-size mangos at the Port Manatee Reef,' he said.

'There are not many mackerel up this way yet. But with water temperatures dropping, they will be here soon.'

Hear 'The Captain Mel Show' Saturdays from 6-9 a.m. on WFLA, 970 AM. Also, visit

'Fishing Florida OnLine

Magazine' at capmel.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT