The thermostat rose to an uncomfortable level this past weekend and also made for some pretty tough fishing. Savvy anglers know that when it gets this hot it might be time to check out the dock lights.

 

Nighttime snook and redfishing was pretty good this past week around the dock lights. The snook are definitely keyed in on those small baits hanging around the lights so downsize your lure or bait.

 

The redfish seem to be on every light you go to, especially the underwater lights underwater fishing light. Free-line a shrimp right in the middle of  the light  and it’s almost a sure thing.

 

The Skyway piers may give the landlubbers their best shot at a snapper dinner this weekend, but those fishing from a boat have a few more options. Rock piles lining the ship’s channel from the mouth of the bay north to the port of Tampa are holding schools of mango’s. Also, all the pass jetties including John’s Pass, Blind’s Pass and Clearwater Pass are excellent choices for snapper.

 

Offshore anglers venturing out to the middle grounds or the Elbow for an overnight trip will find all the snapper (mangrove, American reds and yellowtail) they can handle. Chicken rigs made with small hooks tipped with squid or shrimp will keep you busy with yellowtails, closer to shore; the pipeline in 80- to 130-feet of water is also excellent.

 

Redfish remain a reliable catch throughout the heat of the day and those big afternoon high tides should push the fish light up under the mangroves. Although these fish will eat, they might be reluctant to come out of their shady dwelling to track down an artificial or even a live bait. Chunking or chumming with fresh cut pieces of baitfish is a tried and true tactic for hot water reds. Toss out handfuls of cut bait right next to the mangroves and soak your offering right in the mix, if there are reds around it shouldn’t take long.

 

And last but not least would have to be the good push of pompano into our southern county. Anglers fishing around the Miesner Bridge found plenty of pompano, also the Tierra-Verde bridge and the Bayway are holding good amounts of pompano. Crazy Jigs with a pink teaser fly are catching most of the fish.

 

Tyson Wallerstein can be reached at capt.tyson@hotmail.com. If you have a fish picture you would like to see published in the newspaper, send it with your name and where it was caught, to: “Fish Tales,” Tampa Bay Newspapers, 9911 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772, or e-mail it to editorial@TBNweekly.com.