Tampa Fishing Report – Mid January 2015

January started off with good snook fishing, but the snook bite has slow way down, and is almost non-existent, but for the lack of snook the trout and redfish had made a big showing! Limits of trout and redfish are occurring during almost every fishing charter in Tampa bay or in the Clearwater area. Some days have been tougher than others, but that’s fishing. Shrimp and jig have been the main baits of choice over the past ten days while fishing in Tampabay, and I expect this to remain the same till we start having some warmer weather.
Trout fishing has been excellent, and maybe even the best I have seen in the past 5 years. The trout we have been catch have been big, fat, healthy fish, with most of them being upper slot around 18” although we have had many trout in the mid 20” range. I personally don’t like to keep trout bigger than 20” as they are the larger females which are important for the future. I also try and avoid touching any trout that I don’t plan on keeping. The trout bite has been steady with both darker colored soft plastic jigs and live shrimp fished on the incoming tides later in the afternoon. Look for the trout to be over spotted grass flats in5-7’ of water. Deep canals and creeks are also holding a lot of smaller trout as well.


The Redfish bite over the past week approaching the new moon has been excellent with a lot of redfish being caught during most charters when we aren’t even targeting them. Live shrimp with a small split shot or a light jig head has been the rig and bait of choice for the reds as of lately, but we have caught a few throwing scented soft plastic’s around oyster bars, docks and mullet schools. Most the fish being caught lately have been under slot to mid slot size fish, but there is plenty of them around as of lately. I have also been getting good reports for my fly fishing guide buddies saying they are getting plenty of shots at upper and over slot size fish if you are looking to catch one on fly rod.


If you are looking book a Fishing Charter in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, or Dunedin call 727-831-0111 or email Simonetti_jared@yahoo.com. I also have a lot of requlars clients down this time of year that are always looking to split the cost of a charter, so If you are interested in splitting a charter please email me, and I will see if I have another angler looking to do the same.
Tight lines,
Capt.Jared Simonetti
727-831-0111
www.CaptJared.com

Nice report! Heading that way in 2 weeks.