As Trout Bite Slacks, Prepare for Summertime Snapper

Capt. Jason Prieto of Steady Action Fishing Charters said tarpon numbers are beginning to thin out in Tampa Bay, trout are hardly worth targeting as water temperatures rise and there has been some hit-and-miss action on over-the-slot redfish.

As tarpon push far offshore to spawn during and after the full moon, some of the migration fish, such as kingfish and other pelagics, will migrate northward in search of cooler waters.

Prieto is awaiting for fry bait to hatch so he can start targeting the summertime mangrove snapper bite. He likes to chum with the fry bait and dump a chum bag out the back of the boat before targeting the snapper.

“I've got a few numbers in the bay of rock piles I fish that are productive,” Prieto said.

When fishing redfish, Prieto recommends dead-sticking bait on the bottom tight to mangroves.

Finally, he said snook-fishing has not been productive in lower Tampa Bay.

“It's been horrible,” he said. “No better way to put it.”

For a charter, Prieto can be reached at 813-727-9890. His website is www.steadyactionfishingcharters.com.