Fishing Reports

OFFSHORE

Winds this week made it difficult for anglers working Gulf waters to venture far offshore, but nearshore waters have been alive with king and Spanish mackerel, bluefish and bonito. The prevailing winds have been northeast, allowing flat seas close to shore making for clearer waters near the beaches. Bait schools, attracted to the clean water moved in on the beaches, balling up in schools, attracting pelagics. Kings have been working the schools, but Spanish, bonito and bluefish have all been horning in on the feeding frenzy.

The Skyway Fishing Piers have been hot! What should be fish caught offshore are right here for the pickings. Keeper gag grouper and king mackerel in the 20-pound range are being caught from the piers, along with mangrove snapper and sharks. If you’re an offshore addict, throw your heavy spinning rod in the car and head for the piers. Windy predictions for the weekend could make this the place to be for both inshore and offshore action.

INSHORE

Getting beyond last Friday’s full moon has been like zero change. Overcast skies with rain and a fluctuating barometer have put fish on a feeding binge for the past week. Snook turned on and reds were schooling on the open flats with monster bruisers on the flats around Anclote Key, at Pinellas Point, and on the South Shore of Tampa Bay from Apollo Beach to the mouth of the Manatee River.

The real deal, however has been the trout bite—excellent action from slot-size trout and oversize fish. Trout fishing has been stellar for anglers tossing shrimp. Live shrimp are working well under popping corks, but pinfish are nailing the offering before many trout get a shot at the bite sized morsel. The D.O.A. Shrimp is not as attractive to the pinfish, but inquisitive pinners take a look, give them a nip, and more importantly attract gator trout to the bait. The addition of a clacking cork like the rig D.O.A. offers in the Deadly Combo creates a feeding sound that adds to the fish calling ability of this already tasty bait.

As mentioned in the Offshore section, grouper, Spanish and king mackerel, and bluefish have been hitting in lower Tampa Bay. Pompano have been scattered but caught off the Skyway Fishing Piers on both sides by anglers tossing Doc’s Goofy Jigs. Tarpon have still been working around the bridges, feeding on bait fish.