desoto gulf pier

[Admin]

Hey guys, I got this question in customer support and I was hoping maybe you all could help me with a good answer.

Thanks
John


Message :
I would like to find out if there is a chart of what kind of fish or the best days for fishing at ft desoto gulf pier. Thank you very much. Doris G.

[flatbottom]

Fishing: Around Tampa Bay


1. At Big Pier 60 in Clearwater, plenty of snook in slot and over hanging around pier at night, but very selective about when and what they bite. Angler released 41-incher Wednesday night on live ladyfish with tide moving. Also trout at night on Luv Lures and live shrimp. A few keeper sheepshead.

2. At Madeira Beach, a few grouper fishermen loading up, but trick is finding fish. Most serious anglers have GPS spots to check. Look for schools of bait over ledges and rocks with electronics, and move from spot to spot until strikes increase. Also mangrove snapper and triggerfish on ledges and reefs with grouper.

3. At John's Pass, not a lot of boats going out. Some targeting sharks over near-shore reefs. Still Spanish mackerel ripping into schools of bait within sight of beaches.

4. At Fort DeSoto Park, Gulf Pier consistent spot for Spanish mackerel, but they're smaller now and most anglers weary of catching them. Nearby flats holding trout, redfish and catch-and-release snook early mornings, but not much size.

5. Around the Sunshine Skyway and lower Tampa Bay, catch-and-release snook hitting greenbacks on deeper flats near passes between islands on outgoing tides between full and new moons, when they spawn, reports Capt. Shawn Crawford of Lakeland (941747-3856 in Bradenton). Trout on top end of tides.

6. At Anna Maria, regulars at city pier getting out early for mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel. Catchand-release snook at night at pier, and in pot holes on deeper flats near passes in Sarasota Bay. No red tide here, but farther south at Venice pier.

7. At St. Petersburg, redfish best bet on flats, casting greenbacks on incoming tides around Weedon's Island. Blacktip and spinner sharks on outgoing tides off spoil islands on whole mackerel or jacks, reports Capt. Chuck Rogers of Tampa (Rattlesnake Point Outfitters, 813-918-8356). Also Spanish mackerel along "middle grounds." Mangrove snapper around artificial reefs and rocks off bridge supports.

8. In the north end of Tampa Bay, Capt. Jason Lineberger (813-3639474) of Tampa took advantage of strong incoming tides on full moon early Wednesday morning for flats slams of slot-sized trout, redfish and catch-and-release snook, plus a 48-inch cobia. Thirty reds around Weedon's Island on greenbacks Saturday for Scott Stamilio and his dad. Trout on MirroLure She-Pups at Rocky Creek and mariner flat early. Also mangrove snapper up to 5 pounds on outgoing tides around rocks at Gandy Bridge Monday for Lineberger.


Elsewhere

• Red tide moved slightly north from last week to Venice Pier. The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute report through Aug. 4 said high concentrations are present at Manasota Beach, Englewood Beach and the Gasparilla fishing pier, with the likelihood of fish kills and respiratory effects for beach-goers. Bloom medium to high one to six miles offshore between Venice and Boca Grande Pass.

• Capt. Chuck Rogers of Tampa visited Sebastian Inlet Monday and Tuesday, tearing up big snook on artificials at night. Biggest release was 44 inches. Rogers casting red/white bucktail jigs, red/white or green/ silver Bomber Long As and greenbacks on outgoing tides around end of jetties after midnight. "They were eating everything," Rogers said. Also good-sized mangrove snapper off jetties, reports Wabasso Bait and Tackle (772-589-8518), but not many people fishing since school started. Nothing biting on incoming tides, which brings cold water into the inlet. Only three dolphin in recent tournament, one at 32 pounds, but a 51-pound wahoo. Bait shrimp easier to get now.

• Tarpon continue feeding on dead grunts and other small fish affected by red tide in Charlotte Harbor. Capt. Greg Penix of Lakeland (863-647-9761) drifting and sight casting large threadfins or D.O.A. Baitbusters where tarpon are feeding.

• Snook anglers are warming up for the start of the season on Sept. 1, releasing linesiders 30-40 inches on pinfish and jumbo shrimp at Fort Pierce Inlet, reports the Fishing Center of St. Lucie (772-465-7637). Redfish bite decent on flats in the Indian River. Offshore trolling slow because of cold-water inversion, with hardly any dolphin and occasional kingfish.

• Paul Sabayrac of Palm Beach Gardens, 16, won junior division in RedGhost Stalk release tournament at Islamorada over the weekend, releasing eight redfish and two bonefish. Forty boats released 78 reds and 21 bonefish.