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Tampa Bay April 20 Fishing Report

Typical April fishing means everything is biting, just got in from a three quarter day charter with a single person, we landed 30 plus Snook and were heading in by 1 in the afternoon.  The past two days before I spent offshore.  We just absolutely destroyed the King fish, all you want as fast as you can drop a line in the water we caught 8 to 30 pounders.

Inshore the Snook and Trout have been very strong this past week.  We have been catching as many as 50 Snook a day.  Plus some good size ones up to 34 inches.  I have been catching a lot more Snook over 30 inches than last year which is great to see.

There are Trout everywhere.  We are still catching lots of 20 plus inchers along with a ton of 16 to 18 inch fish for the cooler.

Tampa bay fishing charters report at www.captainmatt.com

We are still getting a few Reds but not like it was a week ago.  That can change quickly though with some strong incoming tides.

The offshore fishing is at its peak right now.  The Kingfish are as hot as they can get.  We have been landing fish up to 30 pounds on every trip.

Grouper fishing is crazy as well.  You can’t keep the Gags but it’s hard to keep the 8 to 20 pounders off your hook.  I mean that literally, even on the high Kingfish lines they have become a nuisance when targeting Kingfish.  It’s a good problem to have though.  The Red Grouper are biting as well and there are lots of 20 to 23 inch keepers along with the occasional larger one.  The False Albacore, Mackerel, and Sharks are all mixed in with everything else and are fun bonuses.  I haven’t been targeting Snapper because with the fishing as fast as it is high in the water Colum you are lucky to get bait down to them, but I am still catching a few on the Grouper rigs.  I have heard a few reports of Sailfish, though I haven’t seen any myself.  The wrecks have a few Cobias on them and I should whisper when I say this, a few Permit as well.  Like the one we landed on my weekly fishing report picture.

There are a few Tarpon in the bay now and we are gearing up for main migration as we count down the days.  I hope you have enjoyed my report.  Enjoy the warm weather and great fishing.

Capt. Matt

www.CaptainMatt.com

941-447-9888