Fishing in Tampa Bay (West Coast) - The Hull Truth

bignick1 · 01-10-2009, 07:48 PM

Going to be down in Tampa 1st week of Feb and wanted some ideas for Party Boat fishing? What captains /boats do you recommend What type of fish will be in (locals always know best).

I will be solo and did not want to charter, However I am open Feb 6 or Feb 7th if someone wants to share a charter.

Thanks for your thoughts

Nick

Prop Blast · 01-10-2009, 10:40 PM

Nick,

The best party boat fishing will be overnight trips with Hubbards Marina out of Johns Pass (St Pete) or the Viking Fleet in Tarpon Springs (north of Clearwater).

These trips target grouper and snapper this time of year; kingfish are a possibility.

The one day trips are ok, and you can get into some fish, but you have more of a chance with an overnighter. Hubbards runs day trips; I don't think Viking does.

There are no fishing boats that run out of Tampa itself.

Have a great trip here and catch 'em up!

PB

bignick1 · 01-11-2009, 08:15 AM

Thanks for the info. The overnight trip out of Hubbards looks interesting, may be a tight fit scheduling wise. I am still open to any other suggestions.

Thanks

Nick

Prop Blast · 01-11-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

bignick1 - 1/11/2009 7:15 AM

Thanks for the info. The overnight trip out of Hubbards looks interesting, may be a tight fit scheduling wise. I am still open to any other suggestions.

Thanks

Nick

Nick,

One thing I forgot to tell you, grouper fishing is "CLOSED" for the months of Feb and Mar here in the Gulf of Mexico. Not our state's decision, but the geniuses at the NMFS. Not fun.

If you can't swing the Hubbard's Overnight, you still might want to hit up a charter capt and see if he has a fill spot. By that I mean he has one or two guys who want to go out, but are looking for one more angler to help offset the cost.

Here in FL, most inshore/nearshore guides take two anglers, with sometimes a third for a small surcharge. It depends on the boat he has. If it's a flats skiff, two anglers are the max. If he has a bayboat, three is doable. This time of year, this fishing is redfish, speckled trout, jacks, small bluefish, and sharks.

The "offshore" guides run larger boats and normally take 4 anglers. Cost are higher, usually $800-1,000 depending on the numbers of hours on the water and how far he normally runs offshore. This is your grouper/snapper trip.

Frankly, most offshore charter ops like Hubbards and Viking will shut down for Feb/Mar as a result of NMFS inpossed grouper closure. Red Snapper is also closed and Mangrove (Grey) Snapper just aren't worth the trip.

I guess my recommendation would be the inshore trip with a guide, seeing if he can pair you up. That is a common practice. If you need some points of contact, let me know. With 6 & 7 Feb being a Friday / Saturday, it should be pretty easy to find a match up partner.

PB

bignick1 · 01-11-2009, 04:43 PM

Thanks for the reply. I will try to stay inshore and find a guide, if grouper are shut down. If you have any Captains in mind let me know. I will search the net and see what I can find.

Nick

G8RDave · 01-20-2009, 06:34 PM

I would recommend Capt Jim Lemke or his group (he partners with several other charters). I don't have his number handy, but you should be able to find him on the web. He will put you on the fish.

skipce · 01-21-2009, 01:59 PM

Capt. Jim Lemke will put you on the fish. Great guy to deal with.

Call his Cell at 813-917-4989

bignick1 · 02-05-2009, 06:30 AM

Arrived last night in Tampa, Its cold feels like NY...

I hear fishing has been slow. anyone have fishing reports for the tampa area?

Thanks

Nick

Quote:

bignick1 - 1/10/2009 9:48 PM

Going to be down in Tampa 1st week of Feb and wanted some ideas for Party Boat fishing? What captains /boats do you recommend What type of fish will be in (locals always know best).

I will be solo and did not want to charter, However I am open Feb 6 or Feb 7th if someone wants to share a charter.

Thanks for your thoughts

Nick

Prop Blast · 02-05-2009, 07:13 AM

It'll be cold today (Thurs) and tomorrow. Sat and Sunday are looking great right now.

Grouper season is closed right now (Red Grouper is open until 15 Feb), Mangrove Snapper and AJs are offshore.

Inside Tampa Bay, the canals and power plant outflows have ladyfish, jacks, small sharks, and some tarpon. Don't need to fish right in the outflow -- the warm water goes pretty far, especially during the outgoing tide. Not sure what the Speckled Trout and Redfish will be doing after this front.

Some of the beaches will have Silver Trout off them -- usually in the second trough. They're aggressive and good eating that same day or one day later. Do not freeze.

PB

skipce · 02-05-2009, 11:06 AM

One important thing not mentioned so far is the Gasparilla Boat Parade/Flotilla. You will have lots of company at any of the boat ramps and fishing any where near Davis Island, or the River will be impossible.

bignick1 · 02-07-2009, 08:10 AM

I now know what you mean about the Gasparilla parade.

Thank you

Quote:

skipce - 2/5/2009 1:06 PMOne important thing not mentioned so far is the Gasparilla Boat Parade/Flotilla. You will have lots of company at any of the boat ramps and fishing any where near Davis Island, or the River will be impossible.