Tampa Bay Charter Fishing

Forty eight hours ago a strong cold front ripped through the Tampa Bay area with 75 mile per hour winds, hail and tornado activity.  Today was a typical post frontal day with clear bright blue skies a northwest wind of 10-15 and a bit of a chill in the air.  On top of all that we are in that part of the lunar cycle when we only have one high and one low tide each day yeilding a long slow incoming tide. On the bright side the water temp only dropped a few degrees and is still 59.4 degrees which is not bad for the middle of winter.  

From the outset one of my main concerns today was could I find water clear enough to fish in.  I knew that the gulf had been really stirred up by the high surf caused by the passage of the front and the incoming tide would be bringing in the sandy water.  With all this in mind I started our trip a little farther back inside Boca Ciega Bay in the more sheltered areas and worked south toward the mouth of Tampa Bay.  This strategy proved effective for our afternoon charter as we wound up with 30 trout ranging up to 17 inches with a decent percentage over the 15 inch minimum size for keepers.  My clients were here for a business convention so they opted to release all their catch today.   We caught all of our fish on eighth ounce red jig heads with four inch plastic tails attached never having to resort to the live shrimp riding in the baitwell.

To sum up fishing around weather fronts, as a general rule fish will bit well right before the passage of a front.  During this time you will probably find cooperative fish at all of your favorite spots.  The weather will be a bit blustery and you might have to endure a few rain showers but the bite can be great.  After the passage of the front is the flip side of the coin.  The skies are clear and bright, the water in exposed areas will be muddy and the water temperature may have dropped significantly.  The winds will be bring in cold air from the north so dressing in layers is a good idea.  Keep in the fish’s point of view and seek areas that would be comfortable to them.  For example the water will be warmer on the down tide side of a shallow flat than on the up tide side.  Sheltered water will be cleaner than exposed.   Also these fish will not be nearly as aggressive as they were during the prefrontal period so you will have to put the lure right in front of them and they will not chase it very far.  If all else fails find a good grass flat with some tidal flow and anchor up and put out live shrimp under floats.  This should get you a few fillets for Tampa Bay fish fry.