Dave_Osterberg's Blog

HEMMERS REPORT

The end of tarpon season is near. Most of the large schools have been replaced with smaller pods. Some schools will have 6 to 10 tarpon, but most will be pairs and singles. You can still find these schools when the wind is out of the east. A westerly wind will dirty near shore waters and make sight fishing difficult.

Schools of Bonita and mackerel are feeding on the schools of small baitfish moving out of Tampa Bay. Look for the birds flocking over the surface. Now look under the birds for fish striking the surface. When you locate the fish, cast a small spoon where the fish are striking and retrieve it at a fast pace.

Grouper and snapper are feeding best in waters that are 100 to 140 feet deep. A large live pinfish works best on the grouper and a small pinfish or frozen sardine is the bait for snapper.