It’s the weekly fishing report brought to you by Captain Erik and Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort over here in Terra Ceia Bay, Palmetto, USA. Holy Mackerel! The Mackerel are everywhere from Longboat Key to the mouth of the Manatee River, out at the Skyway, and in Pinellas County. They’re catching them all over the place. The water temperatures are around seventy to seventy-two degrees when we wake up, and one of the key factors contributing to Spanish Mackerel’s presence in Tampa Bay is the water temperature. They tend to thrive in waters that are between 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Captain Erik mentioned in the weekly fishing report that the current water temperatures in Tampa Bay are ideal for catching Spanish Mackerel.
When fishing for Spanish Mackerel, a few techniques are known to be effective. One of the most popular methods is trolling with artificial lures. Anglers typically use lures that mimic the baitfish that Spanish Mackerel feed on, such as spoons or plugs. Trolling allows you to cover more ground and increase your chances of hooking a fish.
Another popular technique is casting with live bait. Spanish Mackerel are known to be aggressive predators, so using live bait such as shrimp or small baitfish can be very effective. When casting with live bait, using a lightweight rig that allows the bait to swim freely in the water is essential.
Regarding gear, anglers typically use a medium to heavy spinning rod and reel with a 20-30 lb test line. Spanish Mackerel have sharp teeth, so using a wire leader is vital to prevent them from biting through the line.
In addition to Spanish Mackerel, Tampa Bay is home to various other fish species that can be caught using similar techniques. Pompano, sheepshead, and snook are all popular targets for anglers in the area.
Pompano is known for its speed and agility and can be caught using artificial lures and live bait. Sheepshead is typically seen using live shrimp or fiddler crabs and can be found around structures such as bridges and piers. Snook are a highly sought-after game fish in Florida, and their season typically opens in March. They can be caught using various techniques, including live bait, artificial lures, and fly fishing.
Whether you’re looking to catch Mackerel, Sheepshead, Pompano, or Snook, we’re looking at paradise weather for a week solid up until the end of next week when we will get a cold front. But if it’s at the end of next week, you should get out here and go fishing!
Our resort offers direct access to Terra Ceia Bay via our private boat ramp. You can also relax on our new fishing pier, where we just installed the largest artificial reef project in the county! We expect this to bring more water clarity, more bait, and bigger fish in the coming months, including the predators we discussed above.
If you choose, join us for a day, a week, a month, a season, or all year. We’ll be here with your weekly fishing report, reminding you of all the fun Tampa Bay offers. See you then!
