On the flats around Boca Ciega Bay and Fort Desoto we found large schools of snook preparing to move towards the beaches and passes in preparation for their annual spawn. After a long winter hunkered down these linesiders were eager to eat our offerings. Many half day charters saw as many as 40+ snook coming to the boat with plenty of quality fish in excess of 10 pounds in the mix. With these snook anglers also found some hefty “gator” trout and redfish mixed in. As these fish begin make their way to their spawning grounds we have started to find more redfish around the oyster beds and underneath mangrove islands that provide great catch and release action.
With the departure of the kingfish as they migrate north, we still have plenty of spanish mackerel around that provide great light tackle fun and also excellent table fare. Most of our mackerel have been caught just off the coast of St. Pete Beach over hard bottom or on deep grass beds anywhere from 4-8 feet of water. These fish are typically pretty aggressive and can provide some of the best action you will find in this area!
In place of the kingfish a new king will be taking the throne; the silver king. The migration of Megalops Atlanticus (tarpon) has begun with residential fish moving out of the bay and migratory fish already showing along area beaches. Over the past month we have already observed and hooked several tarpon in the area, and it is time for anglers looking to do battle with the king to book their trips. Half of June is already booked and May is filling up fast. Tarpon will be here in numbers until sometime in the fall with these next few months being the prime months to target them. Tarpon fishing is what separates the men from the boys, it is the ultimate angling experience for those looking for a fish of a lifetime.
Enjoy the photos and tight lines!
I
