A good thing about cold weather is that it concentrates the fish population in specific areas, and January is usually the start up time for some great fishing if you know the when, where and how-to of winter Tampa Bay fishing.

As the temperature drops, inshore species look for warm water in order to survive.  Snook has a low tolerance level to cold water and in anything less than 60 degrees they will start to die. Redfish, trout, sheepshead and cobia are hardier species and tolerate the change with less damage.  The key is to find the warm water that attracts the fish.

 Creeks and their muddy, dark bottom draw and retain the sun’s heat, therefore creating a steady production of snook and redfish. The shore line with its decaying matter is also a great source for generating heat, thus the normal temperature of most creeks tends to be 3 to 5 degrees warmer than surrounding water, which is enough to make a difference.

Seawalls and concrete docks are another source of warm water. As the sun heats the concrete it radiates and transmits heat into the water surrounding it.  Ever wonder why fish swim along the seawalls or around pilings in the winter?

Marinas, with plenty of seawalls and docks are another great winter spot to fish, and they tend to stay several degrees warmer all year long.

Power plants rate number one in my book in concentrating fish and we are blessed to have three of these fish producers in our bay. 

Upper Tampa Bay

Creeks:  Rocky Creek, Allen Creek.
Power plant:  Located at the west end of Gandy Bridge, the hot water runoff is located on the north end of the plant.  The best spots are not directly in front of the runoff but along the northeast shore line.

Lower Tampa Bay

Creeks: Bullfrog Creek, Piney Point Creek, Redfish and Little Redfish Creek.
Power plants:  Located in Port Sutton, the best fishing takes place in the main runoff channel.  About 5 miles south is the Apollo plant, and although it has a closed off area, it still produces its fair share of fish.

Anglers have been taught over the years to slow the action down during the winter to catch more fish. However, not so when fishing the warm waters of creeks and power plants, as the fish are active and aggressive.  Live shrimp tail-hooked on a 2/0 circle hook with a small split shot about 12 inches from the hook works best to keep the bait at mid water in the main channel.  Use a free lined shrimp when fishing the outer edges with less current.

Tampa Bay Fishing Tips

Here are a few fishing tips that will help increase your catch.  At first light always fish the west end of the bay, as sunlight will heat this area first.  Look for pot holes or cuts along the outer edges of flats and creeks, as fish will tend to look for deeper water this time of year, and yes, a few inches can and will make a difference.  Artificials work great, and one of my favorites for dock and drift fishing the flats is a D.O.A. shrimp.  In deeper waters I prefer a 3/8 ounce jig bounced along the bottom with a 3 inch chartreuse tiger tail.  For fast trout action add a Florida Flats Equalizer to the D.O.A. shrimp.

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Report From
www.captainshawn.com
6/1/2008
Hey guys,

This has been a couple of good weeks of fishing to say the least. Starting off the fishing wasn't easy, we had to work for the fish we caught but it really paid off with the quality of fish we landed. Snook up to 35" and red fish up to 37" and a limmit of trout just about everyday. The snook are out on the beaches and on the flats around the passes. The trout are in the same places just over deep grass and the reds are from the back bays to the passes also. The snapper should be showing up any time now and I do know the red snapper are all over the near shore reefs. Big mackerel are still in the bay and the tarpon are every where from the Skyway Bridge to the beaches. It is a free for all out there right now so do your self a favor and get out there. It doesn't get much better then it is now. Until next time keep those rods bent and those drags screaming.

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Report from David N. Beede Jr.
06/01/2008

Snook have been on FIRE in the bay. 20-30 shots at snook with the 4 foot variety mixed in to break you off and let you know you are not in charge! Make sure you use circle hooks and release the largest quickly after photo opportunities.

The redfish up north have been scarce and when they are around, they are running through very quickly. If you can, try to chum them in you will have a great shot at your slot limit!

Trout have made a really good come back and some trophy’s are lurking around Weedon Island in the Marl and Gunks!

Cobia around the bridges and channel markers. If you are patient, you can get a shot at some steaks for dinner.

Tarpon at the bridges and passes. Use your friskiest baits and pass crabs if you are lucky enough to get them. Hold on to the rod!!

I personally fished the Gandy bridge friendship trial on foot and the cobia can be seen following the large schools of rays. 32 inches fork length just under legal cobia, 29 inch snook out of season, and 28 inch mackerel rounded out that trip. Nice for 12:00 noon on a blue bird day. Stop by Gandy bait and tackle to gear up for these fish!

Sharks have been all over the drop offs along any channel edge. Black tips, black nose and bonnet head are the normal. Large bulls have been reported and I have seen my share. I do not let my family swim in the water any longer!!! HA!!

Mackerel are all over the place when the tide is running. Fast moving live baits are the best bet and spoons also work.

Snapper!!! Get some deep!! Small baits, small hooks, small weights and chum them up!

I have been having some luck with keeper grouper on the docks. Mix it up with the red fish and you will have a nice day on the water.

Get out on the water and make it a great day!

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Report from Danny Guarino
11/30/2007

If you have any questions or would like to join me or any Tampa Bay USCG licensed captain, just give us a call and we will hit the bay or near shore for a day of adventure and burning drags!

The month of December can bring cold windy weather. This is the time of year when fishing in Tampa Bay can be a challenge unless you are using the right technique, the right bait and fish the right tides. This is winter time fishing at its best.

Look for Snook, Trout and Redfish to bite 2 days after the passage of a cold front, and the bite will last through the passage of the next cold front. The best bite will be on a moving tide in deeper water in canals, rivers and streams. Look for deep areas with lots of cover and dark bottoms.

Bait can also have a lot to do with your catch. Winter time is by far the best time to use big shrimp. A good technique is to use a large shrimp on a 1/8 oz jig head and toss it into a hole or up under a mangrove tree line. Don’t move it, just let it sit. You can also drag the shrimp very slowly across the bottom but slow means slow.

In any case just go out, go fishing and have a good time.

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Report from Jason Priesto
06/01/2008

Summer Fishing Is Here!!!!

Summer fishing has arrived. Fish are in transition moving from their favorite spring spots in creek mouths, rivers, and back country flats to the passes, swashes along the beach and bridges. This is a great time to target and catch big line siders. The key is timing and preparation!

Let’s start with Snook. This is the time of the year they spawn, so handle all fish with extreme care and remember the season is closed as of May 1st. Most fish are stacked up along the bridges, passes and beaches. Free lining a greenback, pinfish, or finger mullet in the areas mentioned above will land you a trophy fish. Night fishing is a great time to fish for Snook since they are nocturnal feeders. If fishing at night, target docks with good tidal flow, dock lights, and good consumptions of bait.

Redfish are still schooled up on the flats and are still feeding. Look for big schools of mullet and there should be reds mixed in eating the crustaceans that the mullet are stirring up. A shrimp, greenback, or even cut bait under a Cajun Thunder cork or free lined is a deadly combination. Keep an eye on water temperature, as it reaches the 90 degree mark the fish will move to deeper water. Target the shallow flats in the early morning before the flats get too hot.

Tarpon are invading most bridges, passes, and beaches. There are various ways to target the Silver King. You can sight cast pods of fish along the beaches. Free line live or dead bait in most of the passes and bridges, or fish the edges of the ship channels throughout the bay. There are many types of bait to use for Tarpon. A few of my favorites are Pinfish, Threadfins, Greenbacks, and Pass Crabs. Remember to bring your big rods. These fish are very big and strong and a flats rod is no match.

Captain Jason Prieto is a native resident of Tampa and has fished Tampa Bay and its surrounding waters for the past 20 years. He is owner and operator of Steady Action Fishing Charters which is based out of lower Tampa Bay. To book a charter, you can reach him at 813-727-9890 or www.steadyactionfishingcharters.com. If you would like to catch him on the radio tune into Outdoor Fishing Adventures Saturday mornings from 7AM to 9AM on 860 WGUL AM radio. Tight lines!!!!

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