In Shore
Mangrove snapper are thick around the docks and rocks of Johns Pass on the south side of the pass under the bridge. On the tail end of a clear incoming tide, large schools of mangrove snapper are ready to feed on 10-20lb floro and a Size 1 hook with a piece of shrimp for bait.
Lots of snook are being caught inside the pass. John Coger, Hubbard’s Marina dock master, caught a half dozen of them using a 60lb hand line and a tail hooked pinfish for bait on the tail end of the outgoing tide just before sunrise one day. There’s lots of snook caught at night whenever the water is moving, but the outgoing tide seems best. Whiting are biting well on live shrimp weighted to the bottom.
Near Shore
Some nice Hogfish were caught aboard our 10 hour all-day fishing trips and a couple on the half days. There are kingfish and mackerel in the near shore waters too, however, the size to the kingfish is much smaller near vs offshore.
Offshore
The tuna bite has been stellar around sunrise or sunset offshore in the deeper waters. We have been trolling the Rapala xrap magnum 30’s or 40’s especially the blue sardine or red head white body color patterns. Plus, we’re getting them vertical jigging and flat line fishing out there on our long-range trips. Red grouper bite is much better offshore than anywhere else. Yellowtail are big and active and they love the small strips of squid, live shrimp, or small pieces of cut threadfin.
Dolphin Report
It’s a great time to get out dolphin watching to see the aerial displays and acrobatics. Male dolphins are traveling in pairs trying to attract a mate and they are working hard to show off. Sometimes 2-3 pairs are working single females. We also have three newborn dolphins in the area, all born between the middle of April and beginning of May!
We’re seeing lots of manatees right now from our dolphin watching nature cruise and eco tour boat, water taxi boats, and even our island ferry rides! This is a great sign showing the local manatee population is exploding and our local grass beds are healthy and thriving. We still have baby birds out on Dog Leg Key, some of them are getting bigger but we still have a handful of the smaller sea birds waiting to learn to leave the nest and hunt on their own.
Madeira Beach Ferry runs 7 days a week with numerous stops in Madeira Beach and West St. Pete. Park for free at Jungle Prada on Park St. or the ABC marina in Madeira Beach and ride the ferry and trolley to avoid parking challenges. Remember there’s a BRAND NEW ferry from Fort De Soto County Park out to the beautiful Shell Key Preserve! There’s plenty of parking there for a $5 all-day entry and parking fee.The Egmont Key ferry is running each morning as well with an afternoon ride out to the island from Fort De Soto’s bay pier Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. www.tampabayferry.com