Fishing report
Inshore– The waters have finally started to clear up back to gorgeous conditions after tropical storm Colin’s heavy rainfall had the back bays pouring out browner than normal brackish water tides on the outbound tidal flows. Luckily that has gave way to beautiful outbound tides and really allowed the bait schools to move back into the bays. We’re seeing the two inch green backs and larger now which is a great sign the summer inshore bite is really going to turn up. The white bait returning means the local inshore fish are going to start favoring that natural white bait during most of the day, but when the hill tides come around the new and full moon the large flush of shrimp will get them excited for shrimp again. Watch the area your fishing and choose your baits wisely before presenting something the local fish aren’t feeding on during that time. As the water clears, also be sure to use artificial lures that match the water colors because lure colors are made to catch fisherman not fish. The fish like a natural look and can mostly see transitions in the water not the bright colors these lures are dressed up in to catch your eye as you walk down the busy lure isle at the local Bass pro Shops.
Near shore– The grey snapper bite has been steady through the spring and summer, if the weather allows us to drift efficiently the boats have been doing very well on these yummy snapper. When we have to anchor due to gusty conditions we don’t get to show our bait to as many fish and the catch count tends to dwindle a bit. The hogfish bite is steady still, but as the water clears it causes the bite to become a bit pickier as these leader shy fish are very aware of unnatural bait displays. The triple tail have been thick along the beach and in the near shore waters hiding under floating debris or flotsam. The mangrove snapper near shore bite has tapered off a bit but were still picking a few. Due to red snapper season we have been focused offshore instead of near shore waters but the red grouper bite is finally really hot this year. They are getting more and more prolific and aggressive with rising water temperatures.
Offshore– Last week we said the bite was hot offshore, well it’s only improved from there! We have landed some seriously trophy fish over the past week like warsaw grouper, 111lb cubera snapper, monster wahoos that’s right more than a few with the largest pushing 65+lbs! The red snapper have been steady along with nice gag grouper and red grouper in the mix as well. The mangrove snapper bite has been soft you have to really work to feel the bite lately since they are not half as aggressive as they were in the spring but they are still biting well. Check out our latest videos on Facebook as we have been doing video updates after each long range trip returns: https://www.facebook.com/hubbardsmarina/videos
Want to read the past reports? Check out this link: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/hubbards-marina-fishing-reports/
Captain Jack’s dolphin corner
Ready for a relaxing sunset cruise with us at Hubbard’s Marina? These hour and a half cruises offer FREE beer and wine and take you through the protected Back Bay waters while showing you the sights and telling you details about the area. Then you get a chance to cruise the beautiful beaches as we watch the sunset from our front row seats to the left and the beautiful gulf beaches at golden hour to our right. For more info on the sunset cruise, visit this link: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/sunset-cruise/
Baby dolphins are thriving inside Boca Ceiga bay! There’s now a handful of young dolphins playing together with large social groups inside our back bays. They can be spotted hunting in large herds right now corralling fish and then playing catch with the large fish to teach the younger dolphins how to use their sonar more efficiently. They also do this to ensure they can eat the fish head first. They do this to ensure the fish fins do not injure the dolphin’s digestive system. For more info on the dolphin watching nature cruise and eco tour at Hubbard’s Marina, check out this link: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/dolphin-watching-cruises/
The ride to and from Egmont key on our Egmont key ferry has become very exciting this time of year with the ability to spot sea turtles, manatees, large schools of rays, and the occasional dolphin pod has greatly increased were often getting great wildlife shows on the way to or from the island paradise they call Egmont key! Plus, once on the island there’s snorkeling, shelling, and tons more fun in the sun activities. It’s a great way to spend the day with the family, and for more info check out this page: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/egmont-key-ferry-cruise/
There’s also an osprey nest just of the coast of Egmont key where there’s a few hatchling ospreys hanging out in the nest getting larger by the day. These young birds of prey are still very formidable looking and are a great added sight for our lucky Egmont key ferry guests at Hubbard’s Marina from Fort De Soto Park.
The only bad news at Egmont key right now is that the recent tropical storm named Tropical Storm Colin has unfortunately washed away most if not all the skimmer’s nests and many of the sea turtles nests too! The rising rough waters easily reached their beach side nests and washed the eggs out of the sand pulling them off the beach and ruining the protection of the under sand nests. Luckily it seems it’s still early enough in the season that the birds and turtles will continue to lay more eggs and rebuild their nests.
Thanks to the crystal clear waters, snorkeling out at Egmont key is crazy fun right now we have such clear waters it’s the perfect time to join Hubbard’s Marina for some snorkeling fun at the island. To find out more about it, check out this link: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/snorkeling-tours-tampabay/
The three hour shelling cruise has been coming back with piles and piles of great shells and the sights have been great to and from shell island as we cruise the back bays on the way to the island and down the beautiful gulf beaches on the return home from the island! If you’re ready for a short shelling visit to the island without spending your day in the sun visit Hubbard’s Marina for this 3 hour shelling adventure you get around a 2 hour boat tour of the gorgeous area and an hour of great shelling time on the pristine shell key preserve. To learn more about this great family-fun adventure, check out this page: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/florida-shelling-cruise/
Upcoming up at Hubbard’s Marina
Want a super light 39 hour fishing trip with Hubbard’s Marina? There’s multiple light loads coming up on Tuesday overnight trips and we also have a Sunday overnight coming early July with a super light load as well! If you want to miss the heavy weekend loads, check out the Tuesday overnight trips on 6/21, 6/28, or the 7/5 39 hour as well! There’s a light Sunday load on July 3rd as well if you guys want to target red snapper while fishing a boat with plenty of room instead of a weekend trip that are more close to full capacities.
Saturday June 25th at 1pm Captain Mark Hubbard and Dylan Hubbard will be offering a FREE seminar on Gag grouper and red snapper fishing at the Tampa Bass Pro shops! Join them at 1pm to learn the best techniques to ensure you come home with a limit of these great eating and limited time snapper. They will not only be covering gag grouper and red snapper techniques but also much more, and if you would like to come with questions they will cater their seminar to what you want to hear! Plus, they will be doing a FREE raffle and if you attend the entire seminar you will have the chance to win a free 10 hour all day fishing trip if you win the raffle! Don’t forget to check out the Tampa Bass pro shops Facebook page and give them a like from all of us at Hubbard’s Marina since they were nice enough to add us to their pro staff team!
Want to stay up to date with the latest catches, reports and more from Hubbard’s Marina? Follow the new live video segments that Hubbard’s Marina is posting daily to Facebook! Also, more Instagram photos and videos are popping up too! Plus, were on the fishBrain app now too and they were nice enough to add Hubbard’s Marina as a fishing location so now on your future trips you can upload your catch to our location. If you have questions or want more info about all this message Dylan Hubbard on the Hubbard’s Marina Facebook page or shoot him an email: [email protected]
Red snapper seas is here and we are absolutely putting a hurting on the fish at Hubbard’s Marina! The season started out with a bang with every private charter boat going out June first and everyone that targeted red snapper came back in with a boat limit. The Flying HUB 1 has caught a 22lb red snapper, 65lb true black grouper, warsaw, snowy grouper and tons more. The HUB is consistent and the Mrs. HUB has been running nonstop on long range private charters. We are also doing very well on the 39 hour trips at Hubbard’s Marina and June 14th this Tuesday we have a nice light load going out there. If you haven’t had a chance to target the red snapper with the ORIGINAL join us Tuesday for some ‘reel’ fishing fun with Hubbard’s Marina.
Check out our UPDATED specialty schedule to see the BRAND NEW 12 and 39 hour trips we have added to make more room for more interested guests to fish for red snapper: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/specialty-fishing-trip-schedule/
Don’t forget that Hubbard’s Marina offers a very wide variety of private charters along with our party boat options. Many people don’t realize how many different boats and options we offer for these private excursions. At Hubbard’s Marina we have 4 smaller fishing vessels for charter than can take 1-6, 7-14 or 14-24 plus we have two large party boats that can allow 17-110 so no matter what your groups size and no matter where or how they want to fish or cruise we have the perfect charter options for you and your group no matter your size! Check out the options at this link, and fill out the form to get your very own detailed quote based on exactly what you’d like included and what you’d like to target: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/private-charters/
Hubbard’s Marina offers 12 hour day trips or the special 39 hour fishing trips to target red snapper we even have one special 44 hour before the season closes! These special long range party boat trips they are very fun and unique hope you get a shot to get ‘hooked’ on deep water fishing at Hubbard’s Marina! To learn more about the trip, check out the updated site: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/39hr-overnight-fishing-trip/
Keep in mind the 12 hour night trip does NOT target red snapper only mangrove snapper, gags, yellowtails and more!
Regular’s club
Regular’s club signups are coming to an end. If you fish more than 5, 10, 15 times a year or know someone who does let’s talk about getting you or your friends into the club before we close the ranks until 2017 club signups. Typically we do this around May each year so if you want to get someone signed up for discounts on the trips and other great benefits for fishing multiples times throughout the year then call Dylan Hubbard or email him today!
Dylan Hubbard
Vice president and Regular’s club manager Hubbard’s Marina
(727)393-1947 ext 306
