Aripeka to Longboat Key
Includes Hudson, New Port Richey, Anclote Key, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.

August 29-31

West Central

Winds from the east should flatten seas for nearshore waters this Labor Day weekend. Calm seas should allow anglers to get in some bottom time offshore. However, winds should be huffing a bit. Be prepared for rough seas heading in if you’re fishing more than 6 to 8 miles from shore. Keep an eye on the tropics for a very active storm weekend.

OFFSHORE

Tropical storms, hurricanes, windy weather, heat, rain, it’s all part of a Florida summer. Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Gustav should enter the Gulf by the holiday and begin to affect our weather. Keep your eyes on its activity and monitor movement. Be prepared to take precautions by Monday if necessary.

Labor Day weekend, our last summer hurrah, is a busy time on the water. Law enforcement will be on the water trying to curb infractions and encourage boater safety. Be prepared to be boarded and checked for safety equipment. Proper flares, pfds, lights, and other safety equipment are a must. Make sure you have a designated driver for your boat if alcohol is consumed. Officers will be watching for boaters under the influence.

Grouper were chewing this week as seas cleared from last week’s Tropical Storm Fay. Anglers making it offshore to 80 and 100 feet of water were rewarded with red and gag groupers. Mangrove snapper have been actively chewing on most rock piles, rubble and ledges. Over the next several weeks we will see grouper begin to move into shallower water beginning at about 60 feet. More consistent catches of keeper-size fish will occur during the coming weeks and into October and November from shallower depth ranges.

Kingfish have been caught on wrecks by anglers doing some bottom fishing for grouper. Smokers in the 30-pound class are caught on live sardines. Look for more action from mackerel and kings as we move toward fall.

INSHORE

REDFISH!!! Large breeder-size fish are beginning to get more plentiful and schools of fish numbering in the nhundreds are showing. Captain William Toney of Homosassa reported some excellent action this week while fishing with angler Glen Pla. Using mirrOlures and an assortment of live and cut baits, they managed to land about 40 nice reds over the course of the day’s trip. Similar action is being reported in Manatee County. After a long dry spell, schools of fish are beginning to show. Captains Scott Moore and son Justin Moore of Holmes Beach were on big schools of reds ranging from Sarasota Bay to Longboat Key. The action was so hot at points during their trips that fish were feeding on just about anything that jumped or landed into the schools. Topwater baits were pounded as the fish competed for anything than landed nearby. Look for this kind of action to intensify over the next month or so.

Labor Day will usher in the reopening of snook season, and with the new moon occurring on Saturday, tides are prime for snookin’. Look for the best moving tide to produce some of the largest fish of the year around docks just inside passes and around area bridges. Cutbaits fished on circle hooks on the bottom will produce some of the largest fish, but artificial baits like the MirrOlure MirrOdine, CAL Shad, and D.O.A. Shrimp will produce some impressive catches of fish. Topwater lures around the mangroves and over potholes work well for schooling fish.

FRESHWATER

With Saturday’s new moon, fish will be active around sunrise and sunset. Anglers should fish the major and minor solunar periods for the best bite. You can find information on the solunar periods, tides, and more in the Florida Sportsman Fishing Planner, available at most tackle shops and online at www.floridasportsman.com.

When you want to know where to go, tune in to WWBA 1040 AM radio Saturdays from 8 to 9 a.m. On this busy holiday weekend, you’ll want to know where the big ones are hiding. Captains Ray Markham and Gary Folden will be taking live on-water reports from the area’s top guides and anglers on Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live! ‘Til then…catch ya later!

By Capt. Ray Markham |  flatback@tampabay.rr.com
| 941-723-2655

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