We've run charters out of St.Petersburg and Clearwater, FL every day the weather has allowed in the past month, and the fishing just keeps getting better. We've been catching everything from permit and kingfish, to amberjack and multiple cobia ranging from 40 to 65lbs. The bottom bite has been outstanding, but unfortunately still cant harvest gag grouper. Still no giant balls of Mangrove Snappers yet but they should be hear soon. Theres herds of sardines in the blue water so the tunas and other pelagics will soon follow. Also spotted a couple of sailfish but…

Sunday's trip really was one of those classic Florida spring days where the weather is perfect and the fishing conditions ideal. Really nice white bait are pretty thick along Blinds Pass bridge. After only a couple tosses of the cast net I had all the bait I needed for the entire day. With the live well stocked we headed to sky way area.

Finally the opening of red snapper season for 2011, along with the close of amberjack. The offshore fishing right now is at its best. Numerous snapper species have been covering wrecks and other bottom structures from 40-140ft, including nice flag yellowtails, mangos, and AR's.

Friday started with the usual ritual gathering bait. I have some killer spots right outside of John's Pass, Madeira Beach so it wasn't an issue. With a slack tide for the next hour or so we ran to St. Pete Beach looking for Mackerel and Shark action. We had a great mackerel bite with several in the 20+ inch range, but none of the sharks we were looking for so we went out by Egmont Key where I've caught several monsters.

This has been one heck of a hot Tampa Bay summer with water temperatures as high as 89 degrees. The redfish and snook fishing has been great in the Ft. Desoto area. Another place I've been hammering them is out at weeden island. I love watching the redfish tailing as the sun rises.