For pure excitement, it’s hard to beat the Spanish mackerel and bonnethead shark fishing right now, especially, if you have kids on board. Both species are being caught in the same location and by using the same tactics. Hard bottom or along the edges of deep grass flats are the places I find both. I first anchor or spot-lock my boat. Then I start a fresh bait chum slick by drifting chunks of cut bait fish down current. For bait on the hook, I have my clients free-line small to medium sized white bait or medium to large shrimp. That’s right, shrimp! Some days bonnethead sharks prefer shrimp. To help prevent cut-offs, use a long shank hook tied onto a three-foot section of 30lb. fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon works better than wire leader because it increases the number of strikes. The snook spawn started this month, which also means they’re closed to harvest until September. Snook spawn along deep-water mangrove shorelines, in the passes, around deep-water structures, and bridges. They will remain in these locations throughout the summer. A strong moving incoming or outgoing tide are usually the best for the most action. Mangrove Snapper begin their spawn in May also. During this time, they are extremely aggressive and will absolutely devour baits as soon as they hit the water. Many times, my clients catch Mangrove snapper while fishing for snook and redfish along mangrove shorelines. “They don’t call them Mangrove snapper for nothing!” When I just want to target them, I anchor near bridge pilings or over structure and you guessed it, start a chum slick. The redfish bite was inconsistent inshore last month, but it’s improving since the cold fronts have stopped and the rainy season is getting near. When looking for redfish, I always check out oyster beds and look for mullet. The reason behind looking for mullet is that redfish often travel with them. “Afishionado, Always an Adventure!”

If you are visiting the area and staying in hotels on the beach, you have probably noticed some effects of Red Tide. The first things you may notice are a scratchy throat and coughing. The next thing you may witness are dead fish. Unfortunately, there has been a Red Tide bloom that has continued to plague the Pinellas coastline and kill fish for over three months now. The good news is there are no signs of Red Tide in upper Tampa Bay where I’m located and the fishing is excellent. The snook, redfish and seatrout are plentiful and more than willing to take a bait. Today, Lamar, Chaz and Wally caught snook at every stop. So, what are you waiting for? Book your adventure now, and let’s go catch some fish!

With temperatures in the mid-80s the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to believe it’s still winter. Especially, since it’s snowing in much of the country. Visitors are not only enjoying our spectacular weather but have the opportunity to experience some of Tampa Bay’s outstanding fishing too. With water temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, the snook, redfish and seatrout fishing is excellent. There have been days lately where I ran two, four-hour charters back-to-back catching fish all day. This is good news for the upcoming Spring Break season, because I only look for the fishing to get better as spring approaches. Just yesterday, John Marrinucci a 20-year client from Denver, Colorado caught 34 snook and 21 redfish. So, if you’re here vacationing or live here through the winter, now’s a good time to plan a fishing trip. Just pick up the phone and give me a call, I would be happy to show you the adventure of a lifetime.

My last three bookings came from anglers staying in hotels on Pinellas County beaches. The first thing they asked me was about the fishing in the bay since Red Tide continues to plague the Pinellas coastline and kill fish. That is not the case where I’m fishing. As a matter of fact, the is fishing pretty good but I’m only catching a few snook and redfish right now, because the water is too cold and they’re lethargic. I’m catching seatrout, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, jack crevalle, ladyfish, bonnethead sharks and stingrays. I know what you’re thinking! I came to Florida to catch snook and redfish. Well, come back when it warms up, because we just experienced the coldest Christmas in 40 years and the water temperature is still in the low 60s. Most people who are visiting just want to feel something on the end of their line this time of year. If that’s you, book me and let’s go have a good time. No matter what time of year, something is always biting in Tampa Bay. Afishionado, “Devoted to the Enthusiast.”