Fishing Florida Flats

Fishing Report 12/24/2017 Now that Grouper season is almost over, we started to target Seatrout and Pompano. Today was a great day on the water even with the water level was so low (negative tide) we managed to catch lots of different kind of fish from Grouper to Seatrout, Black Seabass, Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper and Pompano and a few more types after that, so overall a great day. We started out in a couple miles out because of the low tide used chum and we must have landed about 15 Grouper mostly on the small side but one of them just short by an inch.  Water temperature went back up into the hi 60’s from a low just last week around 54. The tide started to move in, so we decided to target some backwater seatrout and ended up with a few Seatrout and landed a very nice Pompano and a good amount of Mangrove Snappers. The lesson for this week is even since the water temperature jumped a good 10 degrees you would think the fish would pull out of the backwaters, but they did no...

Fishing Report 12/14/2018 We had a cool down in the weather and it slowed down the bite for a couple of days, but it looks like it is back On. Fishing for sea trout has been great and you can catch your limit just by drift fishing in just 3 to 4 feet of water. But what I would do since the season is ending for now is to go after Gag Grouper, Black Grouper and Red Grouper you don’t have to go far but just make sure you are over some structure drop down a chum block I am a big believer in chum, and you can use frozen bait make you’re your bait makes it to the bottom, use the correct weight and correct size circle hook.  I have been finding some nice size gags in just 12 to 18 feet of water. Winter fishing is great just watch the water temperature and the colder it gets the more the fish will push in the back waters. Good luck out there and stay safe and will talk to you next week. Captain Jimmy Bitzas www.jimmysfishingcharters.com

Fishing Report 11/15/2018 With temperatures still falling the Seatrout bite is still great on shallow grass beds near the mouth of the creeks, but if you want some fast action go for Mackerel in about 10 feet of water just like before chumming up the water and wait and they will come. The shallow water grouper bite has been great, rock plies in 10 to 15 feet of water using live pins or large shrimp, I would say Greenbacks, but they are hard to find now because of the water temperature so low. The story of the week is what we started is a 5-hour shark fishing trip, for 3 people $500.00 an extra $50.00 for an additional person.  everything included gear bait etc. The shark bite is great and a nice 3 to 4-foot black tip is the goal and good eating in my opinion.  Winds and tides might have not been great in the Tarpon Springs to Hudson area but if you can make it out there you won’t be disappointed, just stay safe and look at your weather forecast for your area.

Weekly Fishing Report 10/31/17 Fishing has been great in the sense that the bigger fish are in with the water temperature hitting 68 degrees.  Lots of Snooks and Reds around but the problem is the Cavalier Jacks are here they are great fighting fish but not that good to eat and they tear up your line. The water has cleared up more in the Hudson area then Tarpon Springs. We are still running into Mackerel in about 10 feet of water. The Gag grouper bite is also pretty good, use live bait over rocks in about 10 to 15 feet of water while you are out there use some chum for that Cobia that might come and visit. Bait is getting a little harder to find but it’s still out there just keep looking because it is on the move. Good luck Talk to you next week for a new fishing report.

Fishing Report 10/23/17 Wind, wind and more wind. It was a crazy week with some 3 to 4 footers out there. But we pressed on and did very well on Seatrout and Snook. We had to spend this week in the canals to shelter from the wind, but the fishing was pretty good the temperature of the water dropped to 75 so that’s good news, the bigger fish are coming in from deeper waters and the Reds and Snooks coming out from the back water. We are looking forward to the Mackerel and king fish coming in, we did run into a group of Spanish Mackerel in the short time we were in the open water.    If you want to catch some for yourself park yourself in about 10 feet of water. Put out two chum bags and wait for about 30 minutes we have been having luck on cut bait for them on a float with steel leader. There is a good chance a shark will show up but that part of the deal. Remember to visit www.jimmysfishingcharters.com and book a trip or call (813) 803-2085. 

https://www.jimmysfishingcharters.com/ Week of 10/16/17 Fishing Report It’s been a great week of fishing, Everything from Reds to Snook and Seatrout, the water has cleared up nicely and the winds calmed down.  Best fishing was on outgoing tide. Snooks and Reds still at the mouths of canals and some spoil islands, Seatrout over grass about 4 feet of water using live bait,  I still recommend drifting to cover more ground. The biggest advice I can offer this week is when fishing do everything a little slow and  your bait. Did very good at the stilt house and just north of the Cody River.  wait for the fish to go after Visit www.jimmysfishingcharters.com for more information.

10/10/17 Fishing Report After a hard week of fishing because of the wind and very high tides things are looking better. Fish are biting,  had a good run with Snooks and Reds and some nice  sea trout. Look for the trout in about four feet of water over grass, I recommend to drift. Reds and Snooks moved to the mouth of canals over moving water and rocks. The bait of choice would be live. We are still seeing some Cobia around look for them in about 10 feet of water,  use chum and they should come if not the black tips will. Good luck out there. Next report in a week or less.