Summer/Fall 2011

This summer has been filled with some great trips. Fishing has had its highs and its lows. When the bite has been good it has been good and vice versa, on these steamy hot days. One bite that has been consistant all through out the summer and now into fall is the Tarpon bite. We have had a lot of great fish brought to the boat making for some unbelivable memories.

Another great bite we have had during these blistering hot summer days has been the shark fishing. On any given day we can go out and catch a few of these toothy critters. They have ranged in size from little 10 pounders to 60 pounds on average.

red fish have been pretty consistant through out the summer as in the spring it was a little slower than normal. Now with fall approaching it will only get beeter and better.

Trout fishing has been just ok, we have had some decent days filling the cooler, but we have had some days catching nothing but 12-14inch fish non stop. As water temps get a little cooler I see the bigger fish starting to feed a little better.

Finishing March out with some Red 3/30/2011

 Well more of the same this week! We had some good catches this week with more Redfish mixed in. We have been fishing the mangroves on high tide for these bruisers. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to get a bite but thats ok. Because usually there are some hungry Snook hanging out in the same area to give you a good bend in the rod.

Trout fishing in Southern Tampa Bay continues to be on fire with Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish, Bluefish, and small sharks mixed in. It has been a hot bite for sure with time flying by as rods are bent and the cooler filling up with some good filets of fish.

Its a great time of year to be out on the water as the humity and heat are low and the fish are hungry. Enjoy the pictures and give me a call to book your Fishing Escape!!

Thanks to my clients this week-

John and Sean from MN

Rich and family from NY

Jeff and Judy from NY

Wow, Fishing is unreal! Let the pictures speak for themselves!

March 23, 2011

Tarpon are here!! We are catching them with success! If you are up for the battle lets book your trip now, come on out and see what all the hype is about and why they call this fish the SILVER KING.

Snook fishing in southern Tampa Bay, is unreal. Last year these fish were in shell shock and no where to be found from a terrible winter. This year they are everywhere and feeeding like crazy. It is such a great sight to see your bait get smashed on, your drag starts to scream, and one of these beautiful fish emerge from the water.

Redfish, are here but not in huge numbers. The fish we have caught have been good ones ranging from 25 inches to 30 inches. There is nothing that compares to the pull these fish have on light tackle. We are managing a few fish every trip with better numbers to come.

Trout fishing is crazy, we are catching a limit of fish everytime out. I mean everywhere I go it seems like a trout is in the mix somewhere. All these fish have been good size fish ranging in size from 18inches to 24inches. Along with these guys in the same spots we are catching Spanish Mackeral up to 24 inches, and man what a fight these speedy fish put up. It is non stop and great action for Kids young and old.

Call today to book your Fishing Escape 941-705-1327

Spring Break Bent Rods and Big Smiles 2011

Spring breakers are here and the fish are biting... We have had some great trips this past week keeping the rods bent and smiles on the faces of the old and the young.

Sheephead fishing has been hot here lately. these cool little fish can be a challenge to catch as they bite as soon as the bait hits the water ad they are specialists at stealing your bait. But my anglers here this past week have had no problem catching a limit of fish in no time. these fish have been ranging from 12 inches to 17 inches. They are stout little fish that pull as hard as some twice their size. Not to metion great in the frying pan. We have been fishing around Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key for these guys with shrimp.

The trout bite in southern Tampa Bay has been getting better every day as millions of small baits invade our flats these cool fish have been feasting non stop. They typically range in size from 14inches to 22inches. But don't be surprised if you reel in a great trophy over 22inches as this is the time of year do accomplish this great feat. We are using live shrimp and artifical jigs to find these fish. 

Along with these fish we have been catching good numbers of Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish, Mangrove Snapper, just a few to name while fishing for hese other fish.

Redfish are making a stronger push out of the Manatee River to get in the action as well. We are catching a few, but I forsee these catches to get bigger and better every trip. Call today to book your Fishing Escape 941-705-1327

2011 Spring Fishing Playing the Drums

It's that time of year again the big schools of Black Drum have invaded southern Tampa Bay. These fish are making the annual spawning trip up into the bay and always stop for a break to grab a bite to eat. We are catching these monsters on light tackle 10LB test, yes thats right 50LB fish on 10LB test!! It makes for great fun and anyone can do it. These cool fish have been ranging in size from 30-50LBS.

After doing battle with those monsters we have have been running to the flats off Bradenton's mangrove shorelines to catch the ever popular and tasty Speckled Seatrout. Now there has been some transition going on but typically we are catching good numbers of these guys in 6ft of water and ranging in size from 12-22 inches.

After some trout fishing on to the Redfish, we have been fishing around Anna Maria pitching shimp to these fish and been averaging good numbers but some on the small size. But dont underestimate these fighters they pull hard and make for some great photos, not to mention tasty dinners. It won't be long before larger schools come in to feed on large schools of baitfish which are beginnning to show up now.

As mentioned in other reports we have been doing some reef fishing off Anna Maria and catching good numbers of Sheephead and to add to the mix schools of Spanish Mackeral have also showed up in large numbers which make for some fast action. Well the fishing is getting better everyday it seems. Call today to book your next FIshing Escape!!

2011 Fishing on the break of busting open!!

Well 2011 is here and Spring is just around the corner, atleast thats what the groundhog told me. Weather is great this week and if it keeps going this way we will be fishing with live shiners soon. but for now we are still catching good fish on artifical baits and live shirmp. 

This fish are finally making their way out of winter holes and starting to transition to spring. With weather going the way it is, we should be looking at good fishing trips with lots of photos, and some dinner to take home.

Right now mainly we have been focusing on Redfish and Speckled Seatrout, fishing flats in southern Tampa Bay, docks along the Manatee river, and mangrove shore lines down around Anna Maria Island. Good numbers of Sheephead are showing around structure off the beaches.

Call now to book your Spring break Fishing trip today!!

Fall fishing at its Best 2010

Well fishing has been top notch the last few weeks and should get better with first cold front approaching. We have been catching good numbers of fish every trip with numerous different species. Bait has been very plentiful which means lots of food around for bigger fish. These fish are on the feed before the colder months arrive, almost like a bear getting ready to hibernate putting on the pounds storing fat before a long winter.

Most of our days of late have been starting out off Anna Maria beaches fishing for Sharks, Mackeral, Kingfish, Barracuda, Jacks and Bonita. What do all these fish have in common you ask? They are all great fighters and show up in large numbers making for exciting times and fast action to start your day off. While we are out you never really know what your going to see either, the other day we were crusing along there were dolphins doing backs flips like they were at Sea World, then another day we came upon a school of stingrays that would fill a football field, just really cool stuff.

From there we have been moving inside the bay and catching good numbers of small grouper, flounder, trout, ladyfish, sea bass, more mackeral, and others. After some action on the grass flats we head to nearby structures and mangroves were we have been doing really well with Redfish and Snook. It is a really good time of the year to be on the water as the weather is usually very nice. 

There are still some Tarpon around for those who dare to finish out the year with a challenge of battling one of our biggest fighters in our waters. Well till next time take care and tightlines.

 Capt Dave- Enjoy the pics from of our recent trips!! (941)705-1327

 2010 Spring/Summer at it again

2010 has been a funny year with many twist and turns. With a colder than average winter it definitly put the fish into a slower pattern but as summer is here the fish are as well, with hungry bellies.

I will be honest Snook fishing has not been a priority of mine as of late as they took a pretty hard hit with the cold winter. If this is a fish you wish to target let me know as I know where they are hiding in good numberss but just takes a little adjusting in the schedule to make it happen.

Redfish have been great on days and finicky on others, but we have been managing some good fish as you can tell in the photo some of the fish are oversized and put up a heck of a fight. these fish have been ranging from the 18 inch range to 30+ range and weighing in 10+ pounds.

Trout fishing has really been good with limits coming on almost every trip. Sizes ranging from 14 inches to 20+ inches and some of my favorite for the dinner table. A little egg wash bread crumbs and hot grease, makes for a happy belly. Along with these fish in the same spot we are catching Mackeral, Bluefish, Flounder, Sharks, Ladyfish, Jacks, and a few others mixed in. It makes for a good time with fast action and alot of smiles.

Another good fish we have been catching is the Grouper, yes Grouper. In the bay on some shallow rock piles we have been managing some keepers every trip. And nothing makes clients happier than taking home some fresh Florida Grouper.  Not to mention the fight these guys put up in shallow water makes for some interesting action as they pull harder than most and have no mercy.

Next is the Tarpon, we have hooked some fish and are finally getting our big push of fish in their migration. This fishing tests only the strong hearted and breaks most. This is usually how my day starts, doing a little Tarpon fishing which will only get better as each days passes. Well thats all for now, give me a call so we can discuss how to make your fishing escape the best ever!

Family, Turkey, Football, and Great Fishing!! 11/26/2009

What a week, we have done a little bit of everything this week and caught just about everything out there. One day we caught around 50 fish with 12 different species. A few straight days of great weather this week and the fish reacted by eating everything in site.  

With cooling water temps, fish are beginning to make there way to warmer water in the back bays and rivers. Now being on the water multiple days really helps as these fish are doing alot of moving and staging in different areas. But what is great is when you find these locations, everything is there for the catching.

This week we have managed to have double digit Snook catches everyday with the largest going 29 inches, with some larger fish lost. A good number of slot Redfish ranging in size from 18inches to 27 inches, making for a tasty treat to take home. Trout have been on a steady feed as well but these great fish are currently out of season, so I try not ot touch for a safe release.

The rest is the Grouper fishing has been great in the bay. Now with cooler water temps the fish have begun there move inshore from the deep. We have caught some great fish upto 30 inches in the shallow waters of the bay, and even keeper fish as shallow as 6 feet of water. We are catching these fish with live bait and by trolling big plugs.

Well even though the air is not as hot, that has not slowed the fishing. Well enjoy the photos and give me a call about bokking your Fishing Escape. Have safe and happy holidays with your families.

Fall Fishing for the whole Family!! 11/04/2009

 It just keeps getting better and better, especially if you have seen the smiles I have been seeing from happy little customers. What makes this time of year so great is you can be catching some of the migratory fish such as Mackeral, Kingfish, Bonita off the beach one minute and the next make a run for the magroves for Snook, Redfish, and Trout. It's one of my favorite times!!

The Snook fishing just keeps getting better as the water temp continues to cool off. These great fighters are on a steady feed before the water gets to cool and they will shut down for winter. On light tackle we have hooked some really good fish this past week, with large numbers of smaller fish mixed in.

The Redfish bite has also been spectacular at times. These bruisers love a good fight and don't stop until they hit the net. These fish have been ranging in size from 18 inches to 27 inches. Usually when finding one if you chum they will reveil there are a few more there. Oh did I mention these are great fish for the frying pan...mmmm.

Trout season is closed for the next couple months while they spawn. But while fishing for the Snook and Redfish we have been catching some good size trout in the mix. I try to gently release these beautiful fish as they have some business to take care of, so we continue to see good numbers of them for the future.

When the wind cooperates the Mackeral, Kingfish, Bonita, Sharks, and even some Tarpon have been on mission to eat as much as possible off Anna Maria Island. It can be some great non stop action.

Well I will report back about some upcoming trips. Until then thanks for looking and your Fishing Escape is just a click or call away!! 

Fall is here and the fish are feeding  10/15/2009

Well were to start so many different directions to go. With lower temps in the air the fish know the time is coming where they need to put on some weight to make it through winter. Even though we don't get a winter like our friends from the north, we still get one and our fish feel the effects. But before all this takes place the fish in our area are faced with huge pods of bait to gorge on before the temps fall to low. What that means as an angler is endless opportunities of fish feeding.

What has been happening lately is we will start snook fishing in the morning while the tide is high along the mangroves in southern Tampa Bay. With a little tide movement and a handful of chummer baits this combination has been producing some good action. We have been doing is working shorelines catching a 3-5 fish, then gently push poling 20 yards and catching another 5 fish, repeat this action and it makes for a great morning. these fish have been running from 18"-26+" and as we chum an area we have had some redfish move in as well.

Clients have enjoyed this next stop the most. We have been anchoring up on deeper grass flats and with a little chumming it is on for hours at a time. Constant double hook ups and multiple species. The other day we caught 15 different species in one stop and 75+ fish. From small trout to some tasty Mangrove snapper and flounder, with some drag pulling very large mackeral, and Blacktip sharks. this action is a crowd pleaser for all and you just never know what is at the end of the line. It makes for a day full of smiles and some tasty treats for the table.

Thanks for reading and remember till next time your dream fish is just a cast away. Give me a call! 

Kick off to Fall 2009: 10/1/2009

Even though fall has come, so has the rain. Our area has been flooded out with heavy rains. What happens when you are faced with these situations is you have fish changing their staging areas to places which hold high salinity levels. Like the mouth of Manatee River, Terra Ceia Bay, Miguel Bay, and the Anna Maria flats. With that said we have had some very successful trips.

I'll start with the Redfish, these great fighters have been schooled up in their typical fall paterns, but some areas have seen higher pressure from other anglers. So the key is finding fish that haven't been hit early on in the day. We have had the good fortune of making this happen. all the fish we have been catching have been in the 25 inch to 29 inch range, but don't count out fish over the 30 inch mark as these big breeder fish are mixed in.

Next I will go not with one specific species but a mixed bag of fish. We have been fishing alot of the shallow reefs in southern Tampa Bay. We have been catching limits of Mangrove Snapper ranging in size from 12 inches to 19 inches, Flounder have also been a added bonus to this bag and a tasty treat to take home, juvenile Gag and Red Grouper with an occassional keeper if you can keep them out of those pesty rocks, Spanish Mackeral and Bluefish are also part of the buch as they are crashing baits on the surface.

Tarpon continue to be a good target late in the season. These great fish are holding tight to certain structures in the area. Which makes for difficult fights, but good numbers of hook ups.

Snook fishing is hot and will continue to get better as these fish try to fatten up for winter. Most fish we have been catching are in the 22 inch to 26 inch range. The heavy rains that I mentioned earlier have put these fish almost in a state of confusion, they should be making their ways to the back bays as they left the area beaches off Anna Maria and Longboat Key, but are more in a transitional stage until some of the run off from the rain clears out.

Speckled Seatrout fishing has been realy good in some of the deeper grass flats. You can easily catch 50 of these fish in an hour with a good tide and some chummer baits to throw out at them. While trout fishing we have been catching Jacks, Ladyfish, Mackeral, and Bluefish. It really makes for some fast action. Well thanks for reading and until next time keep those rod tips high and lines tight!

 Summer 2009:

Time Flies When Fishing!!

Temperatures have been hot, and the fishing is just as hot. Bait has become very abundant moving me into my first species - "trout", look for these pods of bait and you will find good numbers of trout. As far as table fare goes this is your best bet to taking home some delicious Florida fish... one of my favorites. But you got to get them early before the heat shuts the bite down until the afternoon.

Next is the mighty "bull redfish" These fish have finally begun to show up and are truly bruisers ranging in size from 29 inches to 36".  These fish just don't know when to quit! They will fight you to your breaking point. However, these fish are to big for the frying pan but will leave you with an even bigger memory and, not to mention a sore arm.Moving on to the "snook"  The snook have started to finish up their spawn and are starting to move out of the passes and beaches back to the flats and creek mouths. Fish are enticed by chumming some baits out and have been ranging from 24" to 32inches. But you have to
get them early before the sun gets to high.

The best of the rest and some of the best eating. Now when the sun gets high and the other fish tend to shut off a little. We have been  doing really well with Mangrove Snapper, Gag Grouper, Flounder, Mackeral, Blue Fish, and Sharks.

Well, if your looking for an escape from your daily routine give us a call and we will make sure your day on the water is a relaxing and memorable one catching fish!!