Redfish, Snook, Reported in Rocky Creek

Capt. Lynn Amburn of FishTank Charters said he fished upper Tampa Bay in Rocky Creek this week for some undersized redfish, flounder and sheepshead.

He also fished the 'A' cut in the same general area for more redfish.

A few days ago, Amburn said he also fished out of the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater for catches of redfish and sheepshead to five pounds under docks.

Amburn recommends fishing with live shrimp on jigs. When the current is strong, he'll use a 1/4- to 5/16-ounce jighead. “You can feel the line bouncing along the edge in the current,” Amburn said. We had four flounder that day doing that.”

Also, Amburn received reports of Spanish mackerel under the Howard Frankland bridge.

As anglers head into a full moon, water continue to warm. “Snook should become more active,” Amburn said. “A buddy of mine went up Rocky Creek and said he caught some snook up there.”

As tides continue to rise as we head toward summer, anglers can fish snook and redfish on a high tide along the edges of mangrove, outside creeks. Reds and snook already have begun to move out of their backcountry areas.

The Wheedon Island flats also will become an appropriate target. Already, shallow waters around Wheedon Island are a great spot because the nearby power plant has kept water temperatures warm throughout the past two harsh winters. Fish, it seems, congregated to these areas for survival.

Warmer temps also will usher in white bait. “There will be shiners around the causeway, around the causeway bridge and also in 'A' cut,” he said.

Capt. Lynn Amburn can be reached at 813-695-7078 or by e-mail at captamburn@gmail.com.