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Tampa Bay Feb 23 Fishing Report

Anna Maria Island fishing remains strong as usual.  You know I say that because it’s just the simple truth.  It doesn’t seem to matter how cold it gets, how hard the wind blows or how bleak the situation looks. We always catch plenty of fish around here.  I can’t tell you how many times I rode out 25 and even 30 mph winds in strong cold fronts with gung-ho fisherman and still manage to find wind protected productive water to create a great day of fishing.  Now I am not going to stay out there in pouring rain and lighting. It really has to be nasty out for me to tell my fisherman no.   The last few weeks have been a perfect example with a lot of cold front activity and plummeting water temps. It takes a lot of skill and practice to adjust accordingly, but if you know what the equation is the fishing is still good and sometimes even great.  I can honestly say that on the good days and the hard ones we were able to pull off some great fishing with lots of action and nice size fish. 

Lately with the cooling water temperatures I changed my focus to Trout, Pompano, Black Drum, Sheepshead and Redfish. 

Trout fishing has been the best.  It’s just been a real banner winter for Trout.  I would say that 90 percent of the Trout I have been catching fall in that perfect slot size between 16 and 20 inches, Along with a few large ones up to 25 inches and few barely legal 15 inch or smaller fish.    It’s been nice to see such good trout fishing. 

Pompano have been a lot of fun as well; they are hanging around many of the Trout areas I have been fishing.  They are nice size, averaging 3 to 4 pounds.  They are absolute beautiful fish, hard fighting and great to eat.  Pompano are the Permits closest cousin, so close in resemblance that most people can’t tell the difference. 

Sheepshead and Black Drum have been mixed together and biting well.  Pretty much with the Sheepshead in full breeding mode it’s all you want to catch.  Some of the Black Drum has been pretty nice size between 5 and 9 pounds.

I have been catching a few Reds lately; most of them have been in close proximity to oyster bars adjacent to deep water.

I have not been targeting Snook the last few days; right before the last strong cold front we did have a few days where we caught 25 or 30.  As soon as the water warms up a few more degrees we will be killing them and it will soon.

I have not been offshore lately; I have stayed inshore the last week and a half. I heard the Grouper and Snapper bite was fair. 

I hope you have enjoyed my report.  Snook fishing is going to be peaking next month; I have a few slots available if anyone was thinking about going out.  If you would like to Tarpon fish this summer my schedule is filling up fast. 

Until next time, enjoy your time out on the water.

Capt. Matt

941-447-9888

Anna Maria Island fishing charters report at www.CaptainMatt.com

Check out www.TarponFish.com for more info on how to catch tarpon.