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East Bay Fishing Report for Aug. 1

 
Published July 30, 2014

Summertime. The heat and humidity are in full swing. The water temperature is between 88 and 93 degrees. The key to a good fishing trip this time of year is water movement. Without it, the water just gets stagnant.

Tarpon. Tarpon have made their way up in to the bay pretty well. I have seen them anywhere from Port Manatee all the way to downtown. Quite a few of them have been holding on the Bahia Beach reef. They seem to be keying in on the smaller baits. Small bait fished under a cork and any lure mimicking a glass minnow will work. If using a lure, you will need to change out the hooks so they are strong enough to fight a tarpon.

Redfish. The redfish bite has really picked up as of late. The redfish have been schooling all along the SouthShore area. With the water being so hot, the bait of choice has been cut threadfins. I also would make sure I had some pinfish and even a ladyfish to use as cut bait.

Snapper and trout. If you are looking for something to eat, then mangrove snapper and silver trout in deeper water are really easy to catch right now. The big shipping cans and markers are producing both species. You will want to net up some fry bait on almost any flat. Use as little tackle as possible. A 1/0 circle hook and just enough weight rigged Carolina style is your best bet.

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