The Tampa Bay Times

Trout fishing remains strong in northern Pinellas county. The fish are schooling in big numbers from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs around most of the islands of the intercoastal waterway. Recent northern winds have obscured the water clarity some, pushing the fish up onto some of the nearby flats. We are finding good sized female trout gathering in sand holes. Sometimes only a couple occupy a large sand hole and other times you will find groups of 10 to 20. Free lining shrimp right in the middle of a sand pocket will get a bite fairly quick if the fish are there. The Occasional redfish or sheepshead will also be caught with this method. Soft plastics are getting strikes as well, especially if worked correctly. Sometimes the retrieval method will need to be varied, depending on water depth and water temperature. Quickly retrieving in very chilly water won’t be as effective as extremely slow movements, hopping the jig along the bottom. The islands around St.Joseph sound are still holding fish as well, but high fishing pressure has caused them to be a little more skittish. Short quiet movements to get into position is key when fishing schools of trout that are getting pressured on a daily basis. Redfish are plentiful lately as well, feeding on the incoming tides. Live or cut pinfish have been the bait of choice as well as chunks of ladyfish or mullet. Any flat that is holding large schools of mullet have been very productive.

Brian Caudill
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