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fishing in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Orlando and Boca Grande
area of Florida's West Coast. For more information on our Florida fishing charters and
tarpon fishing charters, please click the link below
.Patrick Baltmiskis hefts a whopper cobia.
Cobia are revisiting the area on their way south.
The summer doldrums are near behind us
now. What Mother Nature has in store for the fall of 2003 will be a tale
told soon by Father Time. The natural variables of the weather patterns
have been that of the likes we have not seen in recent memory. It was a
long, persistent and pesky winter/early spring. When summer came so did
the rains. Most of the area has seen nearly 60 inches, nearly twice the
average annual amount. Throw in a nasty red tide during the peak of
tarpon season and fishermen have become a little frailed. Our first
cooling front of the year is forecasted to pass tomorrow… right on
time. The water has cleared considerably. As aqua farmers we have become
seasoned the the natural variables of nature and particularly hardened
in 2003. A new season is now upon us. We remain anxious and optimistic
that everything will now fall into place.
In shore, the snook remain scattered about. Trips
this week produced fish in classic fall spots that were barren
just two weeks ago. As the days grow shorter and the water
temperatures fall into the mid 70s, they will once again stage
just outside their winter spas. Fish reluctant to bite in the dog
days of August will now fire up in effort to store body fat to
survive winter much like a hibernating bears. Efforts at night
will be most productive in keeping up with the changing habits of
one of Florida’s most sought after gamefish.
Bob Greenwald with a typical fall slot snook.
Snook are now showing
up in fall locations.
Emre Umar and I had a good laugh with this
backcountry tarpon. While Emre was having lunch and commenting on
rolling tarpon that would not bite-a live bait being fished in an
aft rod holder doubled over with this fish- Emer's first tarpon.
In between snook encounters, the mango
snapper will provide plenty of action for anglers skilled in
finesse of catching these wary baiter thieves. A lot has changed
in Florida fishing over recent years. Some of most fond memories
of flats fishing will always be these night trips of yesteryear. I
did them for fun and after my day trips with some of my closest
friends and family. Many simply would never believe the fishing we
had shared together on these outings if I documented them here. Or
perhaps I am protective and guarded as they are just too special
to share.
There have been several nice schools of reds
in the area. While it has required some hunting, patient waiting
on the flooded points and bars outside the creek mouths has
produced some awesome results on most days with ample water. As we
cool, trout and snook will share the same or similar locations.
Something we have all been looking forward to all summer.
Tarpon are still worthy targets. In addition
to still being present in late summer theaters of probability,
they will be taken along the beaches and just offshore around
migrating bait pods. In this southward migration, the fishing is
anything but predictable. For those fortunate enough to have
experienced this phenomenon, having the proper tackle available
and rigged is standard protocol on all nearshore expeditions at
this time of year.The
resident juveniles are in place and will prove the final
ingredient on many fall grand slam (snook, redfish, trout, tarpon)
days.
As the fronts push the bait south in fall, along
with it comes a whole host of opportunities. Most often the
nearshore fishing of fall is a better bet than the modern day
flats. World class Spanish mackerel, cobia, bonita, and the
largest king mackerel of the year will be found frenzied in the
potpourri of bait. The density and close proximity will easy
pickings by marauding gamefish and anglers alike. A
few jumbo grouper are starting to join the legions of plentiful
undersized gags inside of 45 feet. We are expecting them even
closer and just a few miles off the shoreline with this
weekend’s passing front.
Chad Buckner with a nice school red. Reds
are schooled up now in relation to their fall spawning patterns.
The Autumnal Equinox
passed on the 23rd with the hours of light and dark now virtually even
and progressively moving toward less hours of light. The biological
clock of game fish has now chimed. A much welcomed cool front is on the
way. Fall is falling into place and it's time to getcha some!
Screaming Drags and
Tired Arms!
Robert McCue
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