08-05-2001, 08:12 PM
Tampa Bay Area <br>Fishing Report<br>Captain Charles Walker<br>8/5/01<br>The few days that we were able to go out at the beginning of the week were just like the rest of this summer has been. Feast one day and famine the next. It seems that the boats willing to go out 35 plus miles and look for bait pods while trolling are doing better than those that are staying in closer, but there have been some good reports of grouper caught in the 60 to 65 foot depths this week as well. It’s just impossible to predict from one day to the next any more. Unfortunately this little storm that’s supposed to come ashore tonight will spoil any chances of fishing for at least the next few days, so right now all we can do is watch the weather channel and keep our fingers crossed that the weather will clear up soon.<br>On to the bait house reports:<br>Ruskin Bait and Tackle - 813-641-2325 – Everybody that’s going fishing is catching something between the mouth and the tail. The reds are not running, they are swimming. Sharks, cobia, snook, and a few trout are all being caught this week. Mangrove snapper are really biting well on shrimp in the ship’s channel. Grouper are a little slower now, but there are some being caught in the channel.<br>Buddy’s Bait and Tackle on the Courteney Campbell Causeway in Tampa - 813-287-1026 – Some reds and trout have been caught this week on shrimp, live and frozen have been working. Some black drum have been caught around the bridge pilings.<br>Bonnie’s Bait and Tackle in Clearwater - 727-446-2772- Some grouper and snapper came in from 65 to 70 feet of water this week. Some bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and trout have been coming off the new artificial reefs off Indian Rocks. Reds and trout are still biting in the ICW from the Clearwater Bridge to Honeymoon Island.<br>Trappman’s Bait and Tackle on Gandy Blvd in St. Petersburg - 727-579-1414- Lots of pompano, Spanish mackerel, and mangrove snapper have been brought in the shop this week. Most of them have been caught on the little shrimp that we all get at this time of year by anglers fishing around the bridges in this part of the Bay. Weedon Island is still producing nice catches of snook for the catch and release anglers.<br>Dogfish Tackle on Redington Beach - 727-392-6644- Tarpon are still being caught off the pier. Some trout, flounder and reds are being caught off the beach at night. Reds and trout have moved into the backwaters behind the shop and are biting shrimp.<br>Don’s Dock on Madeira Beach - 727-391-3223- The last few days have been rainy and windy. Lots of reds have been caught behind the island along with a few trout. The water is pretty muddy in the pass right now, but there are still snook and tarpon being caught at night just inside the pass.<br>Pass-a-Grille Bait and Tackle on St. Pete Beach - 727-360-6606- Mangrove snapper, snook black drum, flounder, spadefish, and a few trout have been brought in off our pier and the sea wall this week. The few days that our offshore boats have been able to get out produced some nice mangrove snapper and a few grouper.<br>The Skyway Fishing Pier - 727-865-0668 and the south Skyway - 941-729-0117- Grouper turned on late this week and a lot of nice ones have been coming over the rail. Flounder have been caught as well, the largest was 24 inches. Some Spanish mackerel have come in during the morning tides. The mangrove snapper are biting well at night. Pompano are still biting well on the south side. Some nice cobia have been caught this week as well.<br><br>Folks, feel free to call any of the places in my report for more information, and be sure to tell them that you read about the fishing in their area in Capt. Charlie’s fishing report on the Internet.<br><br>If you want more information about fishing in the Tampa Bay area or wish to book a charter, simply e-mail me at captchas@flfish.com or if you wish to arrange a charter faster, call me at 727-546-7257. Be sure and visit my web site for lots more Tampa Bay Area fishing info at: http://www.floridasaltwater.com .<br><br>Good fishing and tight lines,<br>Capt. Charlie<br>http://www.flfish.com/fl<br><br><br><br>Capt. Charlie Walker<br>http://www.flfish.com