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Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson says that
seafood currently being harvested in Florida is safe and has not
been impacted by the oil spill in the gulf. He is concerned that
misinformation about the conditions in the gulf waters may
unnecessarily impact the state’s seafood industry. While the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is
restricting commercial and recreational fishing in federal
waters from Louisiana to waters off Pensacola Bay, the ban does
not yet impact waters extended out 25 miles from Escambia
County. Currently, all species harvested from the closure line
to shore -- including grouper, snapper, golden tilefish, mullet,
blue crab, oysters, flounder, sea trout and shrimp -- are safe
to eat. more
 Courtesy of Above
Average Charters
and All Catch Charters
CATCH 'EM ALL!
Our Area Features Full Day, Half Day, Charter & Party Boats!
 GROUPER
One of the fish we bring home most often is the grouper. There are a
number of grouper species found in Florida. The gag, red, scamp and
goliath groupers are the most abundant species, but you might also find
Nassau, Red Hind, Rock Hind, Black, and Yellowfin. Though they'll eat just
about anything, they won't travel very far to feed. When a grouper hits
your line, you've got to set the hook immediately and prevent the fish
from pulling the bait back into its hole. |
SNAPPER
Over 15 varieties of snapper are found in Florida waters; the most
common species in the Gulf are the mangrove, lane, and red. Snapper
fishing is among the easiest styles of saltwater angling to learn. They
will eat live shrimp, small live pinfish, squirrel fish, and ballyhoo or
chunks of cut bait. These also happen to be the same treats that attract
grouper. The rules for snapper fishing are complicated due to their
popularity and slow growth rate. |
 AMBERJACK
Amberjack are large, strong fish that live offshore and grow over 100
lbs. They put up quite a fight and will test any angler's strength. Most
commonly found on menus in a smoked fish spread, the amberjack has a
stronger flavor than grouper or snapper. AJ's will eat almost any bait and
are often caught while fishing for other species. With a 28" minimum, you
can bet on a fight to bring home a keeper. |
 MAHI
MAHI (DOLPHIN FISH)
Not to be confused with the dolphin, this fish is one of the most
beautiful and delicious in the Gulf. Dolphin are a very structure-oriented
game fish, ordinarily hanging around weedlines or various pieces of
flotsam. They are apparently not very long-lived, but grow very fast -
reaching at least eighty pounds. They feed on squid, flying fish, and many
other baits. |
KINGFISH (KING MACKEREL)
Frequently called "smokers" for what they do to a reel when they first
hit a line, Kingfish can be found in the spring and fall in the Gulf
waters. Kings tend to hunt in schools, herding bait into a small area -
baitfish often try to hide behind each other, with the resulting formation
of a tightly packed “ball” of bait. Sharp teeth and fast movements create
quite a stir when this fish hits a bait. |
 TUNA
Blackfin tuna find their way into the Gulf in large schools. These fish
are a lively fight, eating topwater baits but running with force as soon
as they're hooked. A shrimp boat on the horizon usually means an eager
school of tuna; they tend to feed on the crustaceans and small fish the
shrimpers toss from their nets. |
 COBIA
Cobia are a delicious fish that live inshore or nearshore. Common cobia
weigh around 30 lbs, though 50+ lb fish can be found a bit farther
offshore. Adults are often solitary or travel with just a few other
individuals, frequently in the company of sharks. This makes them a
difficult species to target, and capture is therefore often incidental.
Despite this, however, cobia is a highly sought after food fish. |
 FLOUNDER
Two species of flounder can be found in the Gulf waters near Tampa Bay:
the Gulf Flounder (generally up to 15" and 2 lbs) and the Southern
Flounder (larger, up to 3' and 20 lbs, but most are 1-5 lbs). Flounder
provide an excellent, lean white meat. These fish prefer live to dead
bait. Live shrimp retrieved slowly along the bottom often produce
excellent results. Although many are taken by rod and reel, "floundering"
or gigging offers the best challenge for this species. The flounder is
vulnerable to this technique because it often enters the shallows at night
to feed. |
 PERMIT
Permit live offshore near wreckage and rock formations and also inshore
on turtle grass flats, sand flats, and outlining channels. The Permit
gives a powerful fight once hooked with steady fast runs, and many quick
changes of direction. Pound for pound their fight is as good as it gets.
On average permit are selective rather than opportunistic feeders. They
seem to have a varied diet, but usually feed exclusively on one organism
per feeding period. |
 POMPANO
Similar to the Permit, the Pompano is smaller, usually weighing up to 8
lbs. Pompano are one of the most delicious fish to eat (they fetch the
highest market price of any saltwater fish from the commercial fish houses
in the continental U.S.), they can be caught from the surf on light
tackle, and they put up a tenacious fight making numerous, long runs. |
 SNOOK
The elusive snook lurk usually inshore in coastal and brackish waters,
along mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and
pilings near shore. Most snook caught fall between 18 and 30 inches, but
large specimens have pushed well beyond the 52-inch mark and weighed in at
over 50 pounds. They are highly sensitive to water temperatures,
preferring very warm waters; they can't survive for long in water
temperatures below 60 degrees. |
 REDFISH
The redfish, or red drum, has been found to weigh up to 94 pounds
although most large ones average between 30 and 40 pounds. In shallow
water settings, redfish are often seen "tailing," or grubbing for food in
such a manner that their tail fins are exposed above the surface of the
water. Usually inshore in shallows and flats, large reds can also be
caught from beaches and piers during the winter months. |
 TARPON
Tarpon are one of the most exciting saltwater fish to catch. They are
aggressive and put up a legendary fight. While they live mostly inshore,
they spawn offshore. They grow up to 8 feet in length and sometimes weigh
200 pounds. The tarpon must gulp air from the surface to survive, even in
highly oxygenated water. The term for this is "rolling." Rolling tarpon
can easily be spotted at the surface of the water by an angler.
Unfortunately, casting to a rolling tarpon will not always result in a
strike, and they can be rather finicky at times. They are among the
toughest battlers once hooked and should be released unharmed if caught as
they have virtually no food value. |
Current Fishing
Information
by Captain Richard
& Trip Coordinator Helen Nicajevsky
Above Average Charters
Updated January 17, 2010
BOTTOM FISHING - Grouper &
Mangrove Snapper...BRING IT ON!
Well the waters cold and you can
expect Red Grouper, Gag
Grouper and Mangrove Snapper.
The longer the trip, the deeper waters we can go which means...typically
more keepers. Come one...come all! If you can take it...we can give
it! At least a 3/4 day trip recommended.
TROLLING...Spanish
Mackerel are wearing sweaters!!
The Spanish
Mackerel and Bonitos are
still good possibilities! 6 hour trip recommended. We'll welcome the
King Fish back come Spring!
SHARK FISHING...give it a while!
Typically you can expect Black
Tips ranging from 3-6 foot, Hammer
Heads, Nurse Sharks, Tiger
Sharks and Bull Sharks are possibilities as well. Who's got
the guts? Who's got the nerve? Put your muscle and patience to
the test! We dare ya! Until the waters warm up a little to bring in
our trolling fish...you need to wait a while for good shark fishing!
We'll keep you posted...
Check out this awesome
Shark
Fishing Video from one of our customers!
Imagine catching one of these
bad boys...
Like this 600 pound Goliath Grouper!
Trolling is for the
beginners and experienced anglers alike. This is the type of trip we recommend
if you have kids
or if you just want to go out and have a lot of fun
and of course catch some great eating fish! Trolling is an absolute blast
and typically there is consistent action so you or the
kids don't have a chance to get bored!
Basically, the boat is constantly on the
move circling over the bait piles and bigger fish, trolling the lines in the
water and when a fish hits the lure or spoon, it's your job to reel it in! You
won't be anchored up for this kind of fishing. This kind of fishing is
typically done year-round. Trolling fish are as follows: King Mackerel,
Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Bonito, Cobia. *Black Fin Tunas typically in May,
Mahi Mahi and possibly Sailfish in the summer.
Amberjack
Fishing
Amberjack Fishing
This is a year-round fish
to catch!
Amberjack is a big fish and a heck of a lot
of fun! This trip usually requires an 8 hour trip or longer depending on time of
year. You might want to pump some iron before you take on this fish! If you want
a big fighting fish, this is your fish!
Bottom Fishing
Bottom Fishing
is
fun for everyone! Experienced or a beginner? The Captain takes you to the
fishing spot, anchors the boat, baits your hooks (unless you like to bait your
own) you drop your baits down to the bottom, and get ready for the Grouper
Bite...sometimes the bite is instant and sometimes they nibble on your bait just
to tease you. Your reaction time is imperative to catch these fish. You have to
be able to react on that bite in order to get that Grouper up off the bottom or
out of its hole! This type of fishing is quite challenging but a lot of
fun!
By the way,
Bottom Fishing will at times cause you to blurt out various phrases and choice
words you didn't realize you knew or haven't used since High School or College!
Yup...these Grouper sure can get a rise out of just about anyone.
Challenging...but rewarding!
The best time to
fish for the grouper is in the cold months: November through end of
January.
Shark Fishing
This trip should
definitely go into your "to do list". Imagine being
one-on-one with a shark. Now is a great time to
go shark fishing. You out to the spot, anchor the boat, set out a chum
line (puts scent into the water) and drop some big baits down. Then it becomes a
waiting game...and then you get a "hook up"! Get ready to play
tug of war with a shark! It's an absolute blast! Exhilarating and
sometimes exhausting, but the reward is the experience itself, and of course the
bragging rights. Typically the best time to fish for shark is in the late day
(please call for departure times). Usually we catch Black Tip Sharks, but we do
get Hammer Heads, Tigers, Bull Sharks, Nurse Sharks and some Reef and Sand
Sharks.
Finally, we do practice catch and release unless you plan on eating the shark.
* * * *
Looking
for
fishing info on inshore bays, flats and backwaters targeting Snook, Redfish,
Trout, Tarpon and other inshore fish?
Inshore
chartered or guided flats fishing trip refers
to fishing that takes place in a local bay, sound, nearby river, or local water
basin. Examples would include
Tampa Bay,
Indian River Lagoon,
Florida Bay or any inter coastal water way and near shore waters. Anglers
would fish for local species that could range from warm water snook, redfish,
tarpon, speckled trout, kingfish or Spanish mackerel. Florida is well known for
its shallow water or "flats fishing" where anglers use light tackle spinning and
bait casting rods. Inshore or near shore charters usually carry less than 6
people and many times is just the guide and one to three guests.
Contact Capt Gary Burch ALL CATCH CHARTERS
Click Here
By Capt. Gary Burch
What is Saltwater Inshore Flats Fishing?
Ask your northern friends what saltwater fishing means.
You will probably get an answer like, fishing
from big charter and party boats. Also they will tell
you Tampa Bay saltwater fishing is for offshore grouper,
snapper, sailfish and other deep sea species.
On the other hand, here in Florida and many other
coastal states, there is
inshore flats fishing.
This is generally saltwater fishing from smaller
boats, 15 to 24 feet in length, and usually 1 to 4
fisherman.
Most all of the fishing is done in protected waters
along the shore, in passes, inshore flats, shallow water
and back bays.
Clearwater inshore fishing areas like others around the
state, affords anglers the opportunity to catch big fish
in shallow water.
Many of the world record and state record catches
come from Florida's most famous flats fishing location;
The Florida Keys.
Most all of the Tampa Bay and Clearwater fishing
equipment, rods and reels, are considered light tackle.
This includes six 1/2 to seven 1/2 foot rods,
spinning reels with 10 to 20 lb test line and leaders
from 20 to 30 lb test.
When targeting bigger species like tarpon and
sharks, heavier equipment is necessary.
Fly rods can be used in catching many
types of fish in
less than three feet of water.
The most popular of the inshore flats fish caught are
redfish, snook, tarpon and trout.
Others will include ladyfish, mackerel, cobia,
shark, pompano and jacks.
All of these fish can be stalked in shallow water
and most of them you can see first and cast a bait to
them. This
is called sight fishing.
If the big offshore fishing boats, with long rides out
and back and lots of fishermen on board is not your
thing, then take a look at Clearwater inshore flats
fishing in shallow protected waters. It may be just what
you are looking for the next time you want to go
saltwater fishing.
Captain Gary Burch of
AllCatch Fishing Charters is an
inshore charter fishing guide.
Fishing the Tampa Bay area, Clearwater, Dunedin
and the entire west coast of Florida.
For over forty years, Captain Gary
grew up fishing the inshore bays and flats for tarpon,
snook, redfish and trout.
Now as a full time guide, he targets
these local waters for all seasonal fish.
Captain has a US Coast Guard Masters license and
is fully insured.
All fishing equipment and bait supplied.
Come on out and experience some of the
most beautiful inshore waters on the west coast of
Florida.
Give me a call and let's get out there.
For more information, click on
Tampa Bay
Fishing
Helpful Links
333 C South Gulfview Blvd
Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
Info: 888-799-3199
Tel: 727-447-7600
Fax: 727-443-7812
Email:
info@beachchamber.com
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