Snook are eating greenbacks and you can net plenty on every grass flat. Fishing’s been excellent in Tampa Bay all summer and should continue right through the month. Mangrove shores, broken bottom grass flats, bridges, passes, docks you name it, the Snook are there. At times larger Snook just won’t chase bait, so try putting a dead one on the bottom, with a circle hook and see what happens. Artificial lures can be a challenge in the beginning, but in the long run it’s well worth the learning curve. Hard or soft lures work equally well and probably the most excitement you will experience is working topwater lures back to the boat and seeing a fish strike the moving lure.

Redfish - Summer time Redfish fishing seemed a little slow, but the fall months should bring more action around the flats and back country. These areas produce good catches as they move to the mangroves and oyster bars. Live greenbacks or small pinfish produce well and early morning top-water lures across a broken bottom grass flat should offer good visual excitement. Fish mullet schools for Redfish.

Sea Trout - Trout fishing on the many grass flats throughout Tampa Bay’s been on fire all summer and this month should not slow down. Use popping corks or just free line a greenie or shrimp. We’ve been catching some really nice Trout fishing deeper water grass flats on moving water.

Mackerel, Sharks, Bluefish, Cobia, and Tarpon - It’s been a “Big Mack Attack” all summer, and early fall should be no exception. Spanish Mackerel are everywhere and hitting anything in the water. Hang a chum block over the side, toss out some stunned threadfins or greenbacks, and it’s game on. Bluefish: The bay seems loaded with Bluefish and they are big with many in the 3- to 5-lb range. At least they’re big for our area. If you’re fishing for Mackerel you’ll surely catch plenty of Blues, Ladyfish, and Jacks, and like Mackerel they all scream your drag. Tarpon: At the Skyway Bridge and along the beaches. Large greenbacks, threadfins, or a crab should do the trick. You might try the light lines along the bay bridges at night.

Capt. Woody Gore has fished Florida for over 50 years and offers professionally guided fishing charters in and around the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Clearwater, and Tarpon Springs. He offers multi-boat or group charters with the finest captains available. If you are interested in booking a trip, please visit his website at: www.captainwoodygore.com or call 813-477-3814. You can also follow him on Facebook.