Fish Kill In Tampa Bay

Recent back to back cold fronts in central Fl. may have left a lasting effect on snook populations. With water temperatures in the middle forties it does not look good for the Tampa Bay Snook. On a recent trip up the Alafia River I encountered several floaters and the weather has only gotten worse since then. I am sadly predicting that this January's cold icey temperatures have caused considerable damage to our snookery. Unfortunately we will not know the extent of damage till a later time and winter is still long from over. Snook aren't the only fish in the Bay area to be effected by near freezing temperatures. Tampa Bay is an estaury to many species including tarpon, whose young seek refuge in the Bays rivers. Tarpon, like snook, don't do well in cold water and will surely be effected as well as a variety of other game and bait fish. Redfish are more cold tolerant and will fare better but will not go completely unscathed. Their food sources have certainly taken a hard hit and this will certainly have an impact on them. Believe it or not, probably one of the most cold tolerant fish are the sheephead, they maybe effected as well. Winter time is their spawning time and this cold weather may have displaced them from their ordinary spawning grounds. I personally witnessed a sheephead floater in the company of Captain Ric Lyles. This, to me, is a bad sign. However, let's hope for the best. Till next time, have a safe and quality day on the water. "Fishing Like a Pro" with EUPRO Capt Sean Hagen of Shamrock Charters