Late summer fish hungry after Ike
The high water and rough surf subsided now that Ike passed through the Gulf and late summer
species are hungry and biting. Throughout the area we are seeing big red fish and plenty of
snook. The bays and flats are seeing a lot of action as well with plenty of trout and snapper. The
real story is the Spanish mackerel occurring in decent sizes and huge numbers all over. Although
we have seen the numbers of some species wane a little, we are seeing quite a few other species and the anticipated cool fall waters should start to bring others back, just in time for stone crab season.
Tom Barnes at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers (727- 865-0668 or online at www. skywaypiers.com) says they have seen quite a variety of fish hitting at different times but the Spanish mackerel bite is really heating up. He has heard that they are mostly going after silver spoons and added that many people are “catching their limits.” Barnes also mentioned good numbers of gag grouper, mangrove snapper and trout. He said people are still reeling in some catch-andrelease tarpon (tarpon are out of season) and that there are still
some pompano around. They are also seeing some cobia and the “shark bite is real good. Joey Foronda from Gulf-to-Bay Bait and Tackle (727-367-4756) said he has seen “more of the same from last week.” Foronda
said red fish are “all over the bay,” some as large as 30 inches and although the bite has slowed a little, there are still mangrove snapper being caught.
Foronda said the snapper and redfish are taking live shrimp, fiddler crabs and cut ladyfish. There are also enough snook to keep any fisherman busy, but Foronda said people are finding many well over the size limits. He is seeing plenty of Spanish mackerel off the beaches and off the seawall.
Big Pier 60 is also experiencing quite a few Spanish mackerel ranging in size from 12 to 20 inches and hitting on live shrimp, pinfish and Got-Cha jigs. Ron Melton said they have had plenty of bluefish from 12-15 inches
and mangrove snapper about the same size. Melton said the pier is also experiencing plenty of snook that are “either too big or too small,” but added there are plenty of keepers mixed in.
Now that October is upon us, the water temperature will drop from the warm temperatures reached during the summer. By mid month these cool temps will really get the local species going, drawing species like the red snapper back inshore from deeper waters. The change in temperature will also pull in types of fish not seen since last year.
Be sure to know and to follow current regulations. Inshore regulations can be found at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Web site at www.floridaconservation. org or if the trip takes you to
federal waters nine nautical miles offshore, check the federal regulations at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Web site at www.gulfcouncil.org
10|01|08