Over the past couple of years, we had some serious issues with the numbers of fish in Upper Tampa Bay. Seagrass and poor water quality issues were the main reasons why it was so tough. Construction of the new Howard Franklin bridge had a lot to do with it. The digging of those pilings and disturbing the bottom sediment really had a major impact on the environment. Fast forward just a year after construction has stopped, and we are seeing some real signs of positive seagrass growth and fish numbers are steadily climbing.
There has been some major positive growth of seagrass over the past year. I also think that the two hurricanes had a lot to do with the positive changes. All that high water flushed a lot of the “crap” out of the upper bay. We have been seeing a lot of cleaner water this past year. With all this new seagrass the mullet, have also shown up. Learn more.
Mullet, play such a vital role in the health of and estuary. I believe they are a key indicator species, and a healthy population is indicative of a health ecosystem. Where you see mullet, you often find the predators. Redfish, snook, and other species will travel around with the bigger schools of mullet for food and protection. The mullet when feeding disturb the bottom and kick up shrimp, small bait fish, and other tasty critters allowing the for an easy meal for a hungry predator. They also add protection from dolphins and hunting birds. Focusing your effort in and around school of mullet will often lead to a great day of fishing.
With that being said, the bite so far has been outstanding in the first part of October, especially in regards to redfish and snook. The trout bite should be good, but I haven’t really targeted them, since the other fish are cooperating. The trout bite should get better and better as the water cools. The fish start making their way into the creeks and shallow grass flats looking for warmer water.
The main bite has been redfish and following the tides. When the tide is high the redfish will be tight and under the mangroves. Sometimes it takes a while for the fish to start eating but once the tide starts going out, they fish will be forced out of their hiding places and move into striking distance. Moving water has been the key and the first half of the outgoing tide the bite has been excellent. Scaled sardines and pinfish have been working the best.
When the tide is lower the fish don’t feel comfortable in super shallow water and they move out on to the flats following the bait fish. The bait fish move into the mangrove roots for protection on high tides, but become easy pray when the water levels drop and leave them very little room for hiding. The bait fish are forced out onto the flats and the fish follow.
Cut bait can be the key when out on open flats. Chasing schools of redfish might result in a few fish to eat, but sitting tight and letting the fish come to you always proves to be a great idea. They are there for a reason and will often come back to where you first pushed them up. Cut pinfish or ladyfish are my go-to cut baits as well as threadfin herrings if they are available.
The last two trips we have boated close to 50 redfish with a bunch of snook mixed in. One thing I have noticed over the years is to focus on areas of mangroves that you see a lot of wading birds such as Ibis and Roseate Spoonbills. These birds eat small crustaceans and when they relieve themselves their droppings fall into the water and the redfish will eat the half-digested excrement. I also feel that if there are mangrove tree crabs, the presence of birds will force the crabs to make a break for it and fall into the waiting mouths of predators like redfish, sheepshead, and snook.
This trend of fishing will continue all the way through the fall and into winter where the negative low tides will play a major role on where to find fish. The redfish spawn also occurs during the fall so there are chances you run into very large schools of redfish and can have days that will never be lived up to again. If you are looking for a Tampa Bay fishing charter, now is the time to get on the books! Fishing is fun!