August can be a great month for fishing here in Tampa Bay. We still have some higher water temps, but also with that we have higher water levels especially around the new and full moon. That means we have some really strong incoming and outgoing tides. Planning your trip around when the water will be moving can be key. Fish can be a bit lethargic with the warmer water, but with consistent rain we are getting now the water temps have cooled slightly and the fish are much more active. We are in the dog days of summer, but the fishing is still strong.
The redfish bite has been really strong. We haven’t been catching a lot of big fish but the numbers of smaller slot reds are outstanding. It is so good to see that many smaller redfish around. That tells me that with in a few years we are going to have a lot of bigger fish cruising around. We have caught quite a few upper and over slot fish, but nothing compared to the numbers of little guys. Redfish have been tucked in deep under the mangroves and push on the outside when the tide starts falling. Last trip we got on a point adjacent from some backwater area and the water was flowing out really well. Wasn’t long before we had snook and redfish crushing live chummers. White bait and pinfish have been the key.
We are still experiencing some smaller white bait around but its slowly getting bigger. Dealing with the white bait hatch can be frustrating. Smaller baits are harder to throw, they get caught up in your cast net, clog your live well overflow and can die really easily if you have too many in the well. As frustrating as it can be, elephants eat peanuts, and the fish will eat what’s available. Pinfish are also either very big or small with some great sized ones mixed in. I love a 3-inch pinfish about as much as I love my dog! Pinfish can be such a great bait in a multitude of ways. First and foremost, they are very hardy and it takes a lot to kill them. They make a lot of commotion under the water and tend to stay under the mangroves, unlike the white bait who instantly run from cover. Pin fish are also a really good cut bait.
The snook bite has been steady, but unpredictable. It has seemed like they are moving around a lot. One day you smack the crap out of them in a certain area and the next day they are gone. Most of our snook have come when the tides are moving strongest. They have also been dialed in on white bait, but we have caught a good amount on smaller pinfish. The snook have also been hiding in the shade of the mangroves for the most part. We have hooked a half dozen monsters, but those big girls do what they do and all of my clients were taken to the house! Hard to stop a big snook on light tackle especially when they are already eating under the trees. Monsters do lurk in the shadows.
The trout bite in my area has slowed a bit. I am not sure what is going on. All the areas that I was catching them have significantly slowed down and most are in the 14 to 15-inch range. There was a 2 to 3 month stretch where the bite was outstanding and the fish were all 17 to 22”. Where they went is a mystery to me and a few other Captain’s in my area that I have spoken with. I feel like they moved out to cooler deeper water and perhaps are around the bridges and some of the deeper holes, but I haven’t had time to check. Don’t want to waste my clients time on a what if, but again fishing can be like that. I say “being a guide is guessing wrong so many times, that you start to guess wrong less often”. So, when you do find them, you don’t leave fish to find more fish”.
Tarpon fishing has been hit or miss but soon the smaller fun ones should be in their usual haunts. All this rain should help bring them out from the back water. Larger tarpon, have been staging up around the bridges and deep-water bays, but it can be a long day for just a bite or two. Threadfins have been the bait of choice for tarpon as of late.
Other notable things going on. Bonnets head shark fishing has been great and the kids just seem to love it. Jacks and ladyfish are everywhere sometimes to the point of exhaustion. We have also caught a few flounder and triple tail, but it’s not a very consistent bite.
I am looking forward to Fall. It is my favorite time of year to fish. The redfish bite becomes amazing and the snook and trout are mixed in with them. It won’t be crazy to sit in one spot of hours continually catching fish. Some of my best days are in September and October with banner days of over 50 redfish, and not just small redfish. Studs! Redfish start schooling up when the water temps start to drop. They move around a lot, but once you find some it’s on!
If you want a banner day, Fall is the best time to go. The weather is nice, the bait is a great size, the tides are good, everything just seems to fall into place that time of year. I highly suggest getting on the books for this fall, you won’t regret it!
Looking forward to our next adventure!
Capt. Bucky Goldman
407-977-7650