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Arrive Early To Catch Some Reds

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 14, 2008

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

Redfish are showing up in the Fort DeSoto area. St. Jean Key, Madelaine Key and Tarpon Key all are holding nice schools of pre-spawn reds, but get there early.

As the water temperature heats up, the reds head for the shaded mangroves on high tide and drop off into the deeper channels on low tide. Captain John Batty has been doing well on snook, reds and mangrove snapper fishing the ICW dock lights at night.

Captain Jonathan Davis has been connecting with snook and reds in the Bishops Harbor and Manabirtee Key area. Davis has been chumming with white bait and casting to the feeding fish. Morning high tides are best. The water temperature in the afternoon is so hot the bait is dying in the bait well.

Mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel are tearing it up in the Port Tampa area. Captain Bud Dawson has been limiting out using small white bait and live shrimp.

The Fort DeSoto and Skyway fishing piers report early morning mackerel action with a few pompano thrown in.

Port Tampa Jack had been doing fair on pompano at the Gandy Bridge, before the brown water moved in, using fiddler crabs. Jack, who fishes with a hand line saying he can feel the bite easier, thinks the pompano are headed to the Skyway.

Captain Bill Miller hosts "Hooked on Fishing" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. on Bright House Networks Catch 47.

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