All we need to two straight days of warm weather and the Tampa Bay flats fishing heats up. We’ve been getting several of these warm streaks between cold fronts and the fish have sure enjoyed it. So have my charter clients.
Redfish and trout have been the main participants during our charters this February. The frequent cold fronts have kept them more towards the creeks and rivers in upper Tampa Bay and that’s a good thing. Instead of spreading out on the flats, they have concentrated themselves on points, in cuts, and around oyster bars.
They have readily been taking shrimp under a pooping cork on the moving tide as we drift the baits past the ambush points. Trout from 15-20″ have been common and redfish from 20″ to 30″ are starting to really bite.
Look for snook to pick up as the weather warms and they’ll be taking everything from sardines to flies.
