HM Fishing Report 11-11-22

Sheepshead are typically really active behind storms like this when the water is murky and stirred up. We should see those sheepshead very active around our docks Piers bridges and jetties behind hurricane Nicole. Typically, lighter tackle and minimal weight is a good idea to target the sheepshead. Also, with the cold front coming on the second half of the weekend that will further congregate the sheepshead on the local structures.

Snook fishing is one of those unique things that will get more active when the water gets nasty and the storms coming through a lot of anglers were able to take advantage of that fact and catch a lot of snook that got fired up during hurricane Nicole’s passing. We also will see those snuck active behind the storm once waters calmed down and clear up a lot of those fish will be moving further back into the Bay getting out of the passes on the beaches. Especially with the next cold front as water temperature continues to drop the days get shorter that will push a majority of fish back into the rivers, creeks, bayous, and upper Bay areas.

Redfish have been cruising back into the passes pretty consistently we’re seeing a lot of red fish start to get a little bit more congregated around local mangrove shorelines and grass flats. Behind this big storm it should further congregate the red fish and they should be easily found once waters calmed down and clear up I would imagine their congregation numbers will be strong. Also this storm will flush some mullet those mullet will get together in big schools and you’ll find some big bruiser large red fish following those schools of mullet trying to take advantage of prey items that get scared out of their hiding places from the big schools of mullet foraging in the grass.

Flounder action has been great recently prior to the storm on the backside once waters calmed down and clear up the flounder should regain their activity. Just keep in mind flounder our not open until December 1st so you can only catch and release them for the remainder of November. They love to hang out on the downside side of local structures from artificial reefs to rock piles to bridges to docks and almost any structure in between including grass lots and oyster bars. They love live shrimp mud minnows even small pin fish for live bait or slow-moving soft plastics or swim baits and sometimes even jerk baits if you’re able to get them down low remember flounder are on the bottom ambushing baits that travel right along or on the bottom.

Pompano action has been picking up around the area especially in those sandy passes along our local jetties our sandier areas of channel and anywhere those Pompano can cruise in cleaner clearer water looking for crustaceans. However, behind the storm most of our water is not going to be clear and it makes it difficult to find the Pompano in any good concentrations. However, if you’re able to find pockets of cleaner water you’ll find good numbers of Pompano.

Black drum are still active around the area they tend to do pretty well when the water gets murky and they’re one of those fish that kind of proliferate and get more excited when the salinity level is low behind big rains. A lot of time big rain event will push a lot of those black drum out of the Back Bay out of the bayous out of the top of the Bay Area and push them closer to the passes and closer to areas we more frequently fish.

Shark fishing around the area has slowed a bit because of the cooling water but locals are still finding plenty of good shark action in Tampa Bay and along our beaches mostly at night and this recent full moon brought plenty of beach shark fishing and Bay shark fishing action.

Mackerel are still prolific in the inshore waters we’re seeing a lot of mackerel at the mouth of Tampa Bay around our local Bay Area bridges and some of our fishing Piers. Macro love fast moving water where bait is present and prolific. Mackerel mainly chased fast moving flashy lures like trolling spoons casting spoons or lip diving plugs with a little bit of shimmer.

**REMEMBER, please help spread the word and knowledge on what to do if you hook or entangle a bird. NEVER CUT THE LINE, stay calm and reel in the bird and get all your line back and dehook them and release. Never leave any line in the water, if you accidentally hook a dock make sure to break the line off at the hook never cut your line. Seabirds in the area are more and more often showing up with line hanging off them and we are in danger of losing access to fishing areas due to this. While anytime a bird is in danger or having issues is concerning too, but a wave of support of closing areas to fishing due to negative bird interactions is extremely concerning to an already dwindling number of areas you can fish around Tampa Bay from a shoreline, dock, bridge or pier! Check out the NEW podcast we did with salt strong on this issue – https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/shutting-down-fishing-at-busy-pier/ **