The Tampa Bay Times
Trout fishing has been solid in southern Pinellas County. I’ve focused my attention on grass flats with scattered sandy holes and drop-off edges where the fish have been staging in ambush positions when the tide is moving. My go-to baits for spotted sea trout have always been artificial lures. Jigs account for the majority of the lures we cast, but I can never resist an opportunity to use a top water plug. My color selections are simple and tend to favor natural tones that resemble local forage. Shades of brown, red, silver, and gold fill most of my tackle trays. Surprisingly, bright pink and chartreuse also perform well even though there is nothing in our waters with those colors. Drifting is my preferred method for targeting trout as we can cover more water across a flat. Additional species commonly caught while using this technique include bluefish, ladyfish, and Spanish mackerel. Keep a keen eye out for cobia right now as they can show up at any moment in these same areas.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
