After some bouts with red tide and fish that just didn’t feel much like eating because of it, the final week of 2012 ended up with a bang. On my charter fishing trips, anglers caught several hundred trout, scores of redfish, dozens of flounder, and some of my favorites — pompano.
Fishing from the Bulkhead around the Manatee River up to Piney Point has been outstanding. Trout fishing in the holes on bottomed-out tides yielded trout to 4-pounds while fishing CAL Jigs with Shad Tails and DOA Shrimp.
Backwater redfish turned on the incoming tides this week with CAL Shads, MirrOlure Lil’ John Jerk baits, and Eppinger Rex Spoons. Reds this week hit the tape to 26-inches near the upper end of the slot.
Joe, Heather, and Elissa Riley from Georgia, hit the jackpot with some fat trout, flounder, and pompano on their trip, while Dr. Brett Almond of St. Petersburg and friend, George of Gainesville caught good numbers of redfish, trout, and flounder. With beautiful weather like this, get on out there and catch some yourself!  The fish are just waiting for you.
In all, this year has been an excellent year of fishing, and for the year ahead, we will likely see more of the same. ‘Til then…I’ll catch ya later!