By MIKE ANDERSON

It has been a great week of fishing on Tampa Bay. Almost everything that swims seems to be eating. The mackerel — Spanish and king — are fast and steady. Captain Mark Thomas reports the kingfish are reliable all along the Egmont Channel out toward the Gulf, either slow trolling or anchored up and chumming baits back with the tide.

The Spanish mackerel bite is about as dependable as anything in the Bay right now. Anchor up near almost any of the range markers along the south shore and put out a bag of Profish Chum — it didn’t seem to matter if the baits were free-lined or put under a cork. We had several Spanish this week in the 20- to 30-inch range and they are a great fight. Remember to grab some long shank hooks before going out. You’ll need them.

The redfish bite was also very good along the south shore as well as in the Fort DeSoto area as there were plenty of slot-sized fish to be had. Be sure to work very close to the mangroves on the higher tides as they seemed to be pushing back into the shade.

The snook bite was steady, with our biggest fish coming on dead bait soaked on the bottom. As we all know, this is tarpon time, and they did not disappoint. Nobles reports having great action in Boca Grande pass and we lit them up all week at the Skyway bridge and at Egmont Key using big threadfins.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the “Reel Animals Fishing Show” on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on WHBO, 1470 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit
reelanimalsfishingshow.com.