The Tampa Bay Times
June fishing is in full swing and there are plenty of options in north Pinellas. Tarpon are swimming along the coast often only a hundred yards off the beach. They are eating pinfish, grunts and large sardines. East winds have allowed me to sight fish pods of fish. Leading with a cast ahead of the oncoming group is best. Once spooked they will stay low. It’s still very possible to follow the black knot of fish 10 feet below the surface. Polarized sunglasses are a must for this type of fishing. Snook are stacking up in all the normal places along the passes and rocky beach structure. Live sardines have been getting attacked quickly, however along the drop offs around the passes, live grunts have been getting hit by the much larger female snook. Trout are also hanging on the beaches in the swash channels and along the rocks. They are responding to sardines also, either under a cork or freelined. The action is fast when you find a group. They are very cooperative and are good to keep the rods bent. The birds can become a nuisance, picking up baits that are near the surface. I will often place I split shot a foot up from the hook to keep the baits low. Trout can’t resist this method. Redfish our schooling on the higher tides along the mangrove shorelines. Cut pinfish have been working the best, when placed under an overhang. Patience is key, but if you find a bush with a few fish, chumming heavily can draw more into the area.
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