Tampa Bay Trout Bite!

Marching through Spring we have been plagued with yet a few more, late cold fronts and windy days. Fortunately, the fishing hasn’t suffered nearly as much as I would have predicted. They key for us has been getting our bait early and fishing protected areas as much as possible. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the month has been the speckled trout fishing.

Ryan from Texas caught and released a healthy 26” Speckled Sea Trout on a recent charter with Capt. Travis Yaeckel…. Which one is Ryan?

Speckled Trout are one of the bays most beautiful fish and recently we have been catching good numbers of slot fish (15”-20”) as well as a fair number of large breeder fish (20+”). A majority of the bigger aggregations have been in the deeper areas of the flats. 4-6 feet of water has been the target depth, fishing areas of broken grass and sand bottom. The lower tides can be very productive as long as the wind isn’t too bad to fish the outside sand bars. My preferred rig is a freelined live pilchard. If the baits are staying on the surface and not going down, there are two things to try. First, try belly hooking the bait near the pectoral fins. Pilchards in particular have an air bladder that when punctured will help keep the bait below the surface and often times cause them to swim closer to the bottom. If that doesn’t work, more than likely you are fishing in a heavier current. Add the appropriate pinch weight (split-shot) 8-10” above the bait – on the leader. The idea is to keep the bait in the strike zone as long as possible. Sometimes the fish are feeding on the surface and others they are mid-column. Throwing out some live chum will help locate where you need to be fishing. Once you have located some fish, let the catching begin.

As I have said before, I recommend loosening the drag substantially when fishing for trout.Too much pressure will most always end up in the fish getting off. In most areas, there are no obstructions to be worried. Keep constant, light tension on the rod and you will be more successful. When targeting the bigger gators, use a bigger bait. Trout exceeding 24” will take a bait up to 6”, no problem. However, if you are looking for some fish for dinner, take a picture of the 20”+ fish and let them swim free. There are plenty of 17-18” fish to harvest. The big females are full of eggs and extremely valuable to our fishery.In our area, the legalsize-limit for speckled sea trout is 15” minimum and the bag limit is (4) per angler with only (1) fish being over 20”.
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Capt. Travis Yaeckel
Instinct Fishing Co.
813-830-FISH
www.fishbyinstinct.com 

Stay dialed-in to what’s biting in Tampa Bay! Capt. Travis Yaeckel, Capt. Jason Prieto, Capt. Ric Liles, & Danny Guarino bring you the full report each week. Listen every Sunday Morning 8-9am on 1040AM ESPN Sports Talk Radio. Watch LIVE on Facebook and YouTube every Wednesday 6-7pmOr download the podomatic app on your phone or tablet and listen anytime. Search “ Tampa Fishing Outfitters Radio Show “ to follow us and find current and past shows.

7 Responses to Tampa Bay Trout Bite!

  1. However, if you are looking for some fish for dinner, take a picture of the 20”+ fish and let them swim free. There are plenty of 17-18” fish to harvest. The big females are full of eggs and extremely valuable to our fishery.In our area, the legalsize-limit for speckled sea trout is 15” minimum and the bag limit is (4) per angler with only (1) fish being over 20”. So rue Capt

    • My brother lives in Homosassa Springs and i in Georgia. We have never fished for Specs in his area. Do you have much info for that area north of Tampa?

      Mike Morton

  2. After the first eggs appear, I quit harvesting trout completely and unhook them in the water. I use single hook soft bait mostly and get enough action to make for a nice kayak outing

  3. Terra Ceia Bay shark bite is on. Caught dozens using white bait on 1/0 circle hook and drifting near South Cut.
    Ranged from 30” to 40”. And put up a great fight. Quit when the net fell apart. No way I reach in and grab one in the water!

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