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Captain's Corner: Fishing season off to great start

 
Published April 2, 2015

If you fish or just enjoy being on the water, now is the time. Whether you like to fish inshore or offshore, I can not recall a better start to a fishing season than this one. Name the species you would like to target and more than likely it is being caught. The snook bite is phenomenal in north and south Tampa Bay. The redfish bite is coming into full swing. Big schools are at Weedon Island. Most of these fish are big bull reds with a few slot fish being caught. Fishing with greenbacks should do the job. Heavy chumming will get these fish to stick around. Just remember to be considerate of other boaters who may also be fishing. These are big schools so there are plenty to go around. Monster trout are also being caught in the Fort De Soto area. These are some of the biggest trout I have seen in years. Some are up to 6 pounds. A greenback freelined with a slow retrieve has been the key to catching them. Offshore you have your pick. Kingfish have been here for a month. Spanish mackerel, bonita, and amberjack are eating the bottom out of the boat. There are reports of sailfish and blackfin tuna being caught inside 20 miles. This is all due to the influx of bait into our waters.

Mike Gore charters out of Tampa Bay. Call him at (813) 390-6600 or visit tampacharters.com.