September 2011 SouthShore Tampa Bay
Fishing Forecast
September has arrived and the thunderstorms are still part of our day but will be winding down toward the end of the month. We will still have to contend with the daily afternoon westerly sea breezes and 90 plus degree temperatures. Please drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
September is a transition month from the hot summer to a milder fall season; we begin to see small changes in weather as we move closer to October when I expect to see the first cool front pass through the area and our temperatures drop into the upper 60’s for the first time in months. In early September I take time to make sure all my maintenance on the boat is completed and all my gear is in good working order. I continue to run my charters early in the day so that we can beat the heat and catch the morning bite but as we progress into the later part of September I will begin to run a little later focusing more on tides with less concern for the temperatures.
The tarpon bite has been slow on the SouthShore this past August but I do expect to see a few caught throughout September into October. I like fishing Tarpon on a Strong outgoing tide using big pinfish or a larger thread fin haring for bait.
The spanish mackerel bite also slowed down in August however, I do expect them to make another showing in September on their return trip south. The Spanish mackerel will be around until the water temperature starts to drop into the lower 70’s. I fish mackerel with live greenbacks and usually chum with a frozen chum bag or cut up white bait.
We have started to see a few redfish in and around some of the mangrove islands and oyster bars that dot the SouthShore area of Tampa Bay. Look for areas with deeper water at the base of mangrove islands or oyster bars. I like to use a pinfish under a bobber in deeper areas near oyster bars. I don’t expect to catch a lot of redfish in one spot as they have not yet begun to school up in earnest, which will happen later into October. One or two fish out of a spot is all I expect. I just move around from one pothole to another tossing our baits around the edges of the hole. Be patient and give each spot enough time for the fish to show up. I sometimes entice the redfish with cut up lady fish as either chum or bait. This works because it puts a little sent in the water to attract the redfish. I just cut up the lady fish into small pieces and toss it out in an area I plan to fish. Captain Jason Prieto and Captain Ric Liles both from the SouthShore area are reporting more and more redfish catches.
The trout bite was very good for August and expect it to continue as we move into the fall months. I still like to find grass in the 4-foot plus depth range. I fish for trout with a popping cork using shrimp or free lining trout with white bait. Another bait for trout is small pinfish about the size of a half dollar. Put the pinfish under a bobber so that it won’t hide in the grass.
The Snook bite will continue to be very slow as the snook population continues its very slow rebound from the winter freeze. The water temperature in early September is still in the 90s and that makes the snook very lethargic. Try using cut thread fin hearing soaked on the bottom in areas you know that snook frequent. The Snook spawn is all but over and by mid to late September the snook begin to migrate back toward their winter spots. They will begin to stage in the passes and move toward the back country as we get later into fall season. Again please use correct release handling procedures with this important fish. I do hope we had a very good spawn!
September can be a slow month fishing the SouthShore area but if you use a few tricks you just might improve your catch ratio. None the less, it’s still good to get out on the water and experience this beautiful area we live in. Sometimes fishing is just the reason used to spend time with friends, or family. Catching fish is the bonus!
Capt. Danny Guarino
D.R. Guarino Charters
813-956-2010
www.Fishingguidetampabay.com
