Tampa Flats Fishing end of March

[mrbraq]

I'll admit, this is a scary board to enter as a non-Resident, but here goes...

I'm fishing the flats with Capt Will Burbach end of March. I'm sure he'll put me on fish and we'll have a great time. I'd really like to get some snook on topwater, not excited about fishing shiners other than getting my son on some fish. That said, any suggestions from the locals on things to try or bring? Happy to take direction of the guide, but leaving a bass boat full of gear at home makes me want to bring something...

[Bob20]

First off... DO NOT let some of these entitled guys scare you off! Some people just can't get past the fact that they don't live in the "good ole days" anymore, and that fishing isn't the same ANYWHERE like it used to be.
Snook will hit MANY bass lures, and some of my favorites are jerkbaits, traps, and surface "darting" baits. They tend to like the bait moving a little faster than bass do...just vary it up till you find what works. Good luck and have fun!

[MARK R]

Fluke style baits on a 1/4 oz jig head. He's probably going to try to get you some " white bait" ( think shiners) , don't knock em , it's alot of fun . When in Rome

[JohnM64]

I'll admit, this is a scary board to enter as a non-Resident, but here goes...

I'm fishing the flats with Capt Will Burbach end of March. I'm sure he'll put me on fish and we'll have a great time. I'd really like to get some snook on topwater, not excited about fishing shiners other than getting my son on some fish. That said, any suggestions from the locals on things to try or bring? Happy to take direction of the guide, but leaving a bass boat full of gear at home makes me want to bring something...

Rapala Skitterwalk on 50# braid, and Yozuri Crystal Minnow in Silver/Black on flouro.

[PASCOFISHBOY]

can you bring your boat down?
the hills river is actually a very good fishery as well as the bypass canal.

[Crappie Bob]

Back quit a few years ago, this was my favorite. We also used them in different colors, along with the Mirror Lure Jerk Baits,
Red Head/White body -Red Head/ Yellow Body, all were very successful. I have wondered since I first saw one how a Whopper Plopper would do. We used to fish the back waters in Chokoloskee but I'm sure the flats Snook would hit them also..Good luck on your trip
20200705_171343.jpg

[Cheeseman]

If you are fishing with a guide he will have everything you will need to get on the fish. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

[mrbraq]

Thanks, everyone for the ideas and input

[mrbraq]

Rapala Skitterwalk on 50# braid, and Yozuri Crystal Minnow in Silver/Black on flouro.

No, unfortunately not this time. I'd live to sometime though

[linesider 159]

50lb braid is a terrible idea for snook.

Will is a good guide and will have everything you need to have a fun trip. You're paying him to handle all of that, not to help him.

[JohnM64]

[QUOTE=linesider 159;11652052]50lb braid is a terrible idea for snook.

How do you slow or stop a 20+# snook that is heading for a bad place then?

By the way, skitterwalk is a topwater.

[linesider 159]

On this coast, you will find yourself using 15-20lb braid, MAYBE 30 if you are fishing bridges and docks for big snook. Most of the time on the flats you are using 10lb braid with some preferring 15, I do a lot of redfish and throw 8lb braid but that is only for long casts and spooky fish, it wouldnt end well fishing structure.

20-30lb flouro for average snook, 40 if they arent spooky and are big girls.

[Casslaw]

I stick with 20lb power pro and 20-40lb leaders depending on the structure. A 7’6” redbone with a 3000 Daiwa Tierra can cast any jig, topwater or any other lure a mile. This has been my snook, trout, red set up since the 90s.

He’s a great guide and you will be on fish, as long as we start warming up! Our snook aren’t used to this many nights in the 30s!

[Houlester]

If it's convenient I would bring one of your bass rod with you and some tackle. It there is a favorite top water lure you like for bass snook aren't all that different. Or buy some lures down here. If your going to be here for a few days there are some good places in the area to fish from shore. Sometimes I catch more from shore than I do in my boat. The snook might be moving into the passes and beaches by then and pompano might be around to.

[Hank Purvis]

https://swiftfishcharters.com/