The range of fish right now in the Tampa Bay area is great. Bait is showing up, the water is warming up and the
Fish are showing up hungry.

Mackerel are here in full force with some Kingfish also showing up. Spoons, Gotcha plugs, a Mc Donalds straw (look it up),
Crippled herring jig and live baits like scaled sardines and shrimp will all catch mackerel. If you are using live bait it would be
better to anchor up tide of some structure where you have been seeing some action and put a chum bag out and bring the fish to you.
Otherwise you can run and gun where you chase the birds and the bait pods that are being worked over by the mackerel and this is
where the lures are handy for their casting distances and repeated casts. From the mouth of Tampa Bay up into the the bay to
Gandy bridge there is mackerel action.

One of the big names to show up is Tarpon. They might not be here in full force yet but they are here. Look for them
To be around the Skyway bridge and some of the nearby artificial reefs, along with the North and South Skyway
Fishing Piers. The passes to the south of us are starting to get some tarpon also, including Longboat and New Pass.
Some of the baits to use would include threadfin herring, scaled sardines and pinfish.

Redfish schools have moved in with some schools holding oversized fish. Look for them to work towards the mangrove
Islands / shorelines and oyster bars as the tide rises. A stealthy approach is a must with these schools and if you can let them come
To you they will be less spooky and more apt to bite then if they are being chased. Shrimp, and cut baits like pinfish, ladyfish
And scaled sardines will all work. Also live pinfish and live scaled sardines are another good presentation.
Places holding redfish are Tierra Verde, Fort DeSoto and the Pinellas Point area.

Snook have been starting to make their presence known lately with some quantity and good size. I have not been targeting them yet,
But if you do please remember they are catch and release only. Please handle them with the best of care, since the loss from the bad freeze
We had two winters ago, we do not need any unnecessary losses. Scaled sardines, pinfish and large shrimp are all good baits when
Targeting snook. Shallow grass flats when the day warms up, docks and mangroves are all good places to look for these great fish.


Capt. George Hastick fishes the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg Area.
If you would like any more information or would like to book a fishing trip.
Feel free to call or go to his website below.

" The Fish Hunter "
www.fishtampa.com
727-525-1005