Summer time is here, as water temps climb a wide range of species are all a go here in the Tampa Bay Area. The usual inshore slam (Snook, Refish, Spotted Sea Trout) are always in the fold for what we do but as water temps get hotter, picking the time of day and tactics to target these species becomes important. We’ll dive into that in a little bit. Another massive attraction to our area, is Tarpon season, for 3-4 months the tarpon bite gets pretty dang good here. Other species like Mangrove Snapper, Gag Grouper and Spanish Mackerel get going in the deeper water on local reefs and ledges. So as temps get hot, the bite can do the exact thing, lets dive in!
For any day of fishing, the day always starts with the bait grind, summer time you better be ready to get up early and go get it or sleep in and hope the bait barge has some left if you feel like buying it. First light has been the good window, be at the ramp in the dark and on the flat chumming as that light in the sky starts showing. By sun up you should have a full live well. Tower and deep bait, early is still a great window, as that sun gets high, a lot of threadfins start to move in, now if you are wanting those for tarpon or to fish dead bait, that works great. Try and mark the bait on the bottom, that’s the white bait you’ll want that stays alive. Typically the threads mark middle to top of the surface on sonar.
White Bait
We are in the middle of May, so temps are getting warmer but not unbearable yet. Water temps are low to mid 80’s so the flats are producing most the day depending on tide. The redfish have been great, we like to hit them on the low tide before the water gets too high, looking for some activity on the flat you're approaching helps. For instance, wads of mullet jumping around. Don’t be afraid to work those schools, the reds mix in with them. If redfish schools aren’t visible on approach, this is a good tactic. On higher water prepare to beat the bushes, get your baits tight and under the mangroves if you can, dead or live bait. Snook are a bit of the same as of late, moving tide is very important for snook, they get very finicky on slow tides. Wish we had a better trout report but its been a tough year for Spotted Sea Trout in our area. We have been finding them here and there but the numbers and size just haven’t been there. White bait and shrimp have been the ticket when we find them. As summer moves on try and remember the term ‘beat the heat’, meaning get out early and be done early. Or if you’re able, hit the evening tides for a few hours as the sun sets. Those will be your best windows
One of the most exciting fishing times of the year here, is Tarpon fishing! If you want to battle the Silver King, be ready to work for them. Tarpon are one of the most difficult fish to target but most rewarding. The local fish have been here but the huge schools of migratory are showing and arriving in a hurry. Bring some heavy tackle. Dead threadfins and crabs are typically the bait to use, every now and then throw on a live thread. Try to find where they are staging and drift baits back to them. Tarpon on strong tides like to stage up facing the current. Good luck!
The reefs and ledges are a great option during the summer. Fish on the flats are a lot like us, as it gets hot, they get a little more sluggish, if you’re noticing a slow bite, maybe have a back up plan and go target some Spanish Macks, Mangrove Snapper or even take a shot at some big Bay Gag Grouper. At the beginning of a tide where its at its slowest is a great time to work the deep water spots. Baits get down a little easier and the feel for a bite as well! Live bait and dead bait both work well, enough for chumming can help lift these fish off the bottom. Adjust your weight on how strong the tide might be moving, so your bait gets down and in the targets range. Free line some live white bait for the Macks, they’re higher on the waters surface in constant motion ready to strike and use those long shank hooks to help with their teeth!
We appreciate you reading and we hope this helps you all if you’re getting out there. If you don’t want to worry about all this feel free to give us a call and we’d be happing to handle it all and put you on!
