Fishing Florida Flats

To start off this weeks fishing report I would like to address the apparent elephant in the room; a issue which is become a popular topic on the news, social media, and a question I get daily at the boat ramp, red tide. As unfortunate as red tide is, and the negative affects it is having on the localized economy and fisheries to the south of us, we have been very fortunate in not having any affects or signs of red tide in our local waters, from parts of Pinellas north to Hernando county. The water is clean, bait is abundant, and most importantly the fish are biting!    Redfish having been schooling up generous numbers, from the Bayport area south Anclote. Several of the schools which I have fished have had 30-50 redfish per school, and have been producing overslot. The larger schools of fish are constantly moving and will be found amongst large schools of mullet, moving water, and structure such as hard bottom, oyster bars, or pothole troughs along mangroves. For a live bait p

The key to fishing this time of year is a live well full of greenbacks. Greenbacks are still thick shallow grass flats. Doesn’t hurt the use some of them as chum to get the fish fired up and eating. Snook bite is still good we tend to fish channels with a lot of moving water. Red fish on points and mangrove banks with rocky bottom. Finding a few big trout on outer structure with moving water. Lots of Spanish mackerel in 8-15 feet of water. Grouper bite has remained good in 25 ft or more. Stay Safe out on the water Captain Jimmy Bitzas

Fishing Report week of 8/9/2018 The report has not really changed much since last one, Grouper in 20 to 25 feet of water, look for structure and bring a couple of chum bags to get them in the mood to eat. Sea trout have been in about 6 to 8 feet of water over seagrass. Snook & Reds first thing in morning or near sunset, During the day we have been seeing some monster Reds & Snook but they will not eat anything and  they do not even run from the boat because they are saving there energy because of warm water,  but if you are fishing early or late try working a incoming or out going tide and look for deep pockets and some moving water that is where they are hanging out and near Mangroves. Bait of choice is still Greenbacks and you can find them early in morning just look for a boil on the water. On a side note Fishing Florida Flats located at 6300 Clark Street in Hudson is open so come and visit and the Dolphin Tours have been in full swing and doing great, you can