This past week my inshore charters caught every inshore species we target except for Tarpon. With the water temperature creeping up to the upper 60’s, things are really starting to take off.

Fishing the grass flats of Tampa Bay in 4′ to 6′ feet of water produced Trout, Blue Fish, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, Lady Fish and Pompano. Most fish came off live shrimp, but we tossed some artificial lures as well. Catching some Mackerel was a great sign and means things are really going to start heating up.

Fishing the deep canals of St. Pete Beach produced a nice mixed bag too and also a nice big surprise. Fishing with shrimp on a jig head, we caught Redfish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Gag Grouper and a big surprise.

I said that catching some mackerel was a good sign and it was, because seeing some Snook come out of there winter homes and eating soft plastic jigs was the highlight of the week. Snook took quite a hit last winter with many of them dying in the freeze. The Snook I’ve been seeing lately have been very active and seem to be doing well, which is a great sign for their future.

While targeting Redfish in St. Pete Beach, we were rewarded with a nice surprise. Check out the Snook video below!

To book a flats fishing charter for Tampa Bay or St. Pete Beach, give me call 727-638-0975