North Pinellas, Stewart Ames

Walk outside in the early morning.  If the whippoorwills are calling, it’s probably the right time of year to start thinking about catching snook.  These two events just seem to coincide.  Snook have begun to return to the beaches and although there are still fish in the backcountry, there are already groups of large females gathered on the typical beach spots.  As next week’s new moon arrives, more should show. Large baits such as jumbo pilchards, large threadfins, shad and ladyfish seem to make the most interesting offerings to the biggest fish but the standard size pilchard can always attract a beast.  Early and late in the day as well as on the moving tides have historically represented the best times to hook fish. A side bonus to targeting these snook is the opportunity to pick up a few large seatrout.  Having departed their inshore haunts these fish are, for the most part, where the snook are…or close by.  So although snook season is now closed, preventing their harvest, it is still possible to catch a trout dinner while snook fishing.

Redfish have been consistent over the last month.  FIsh size has been good with most fish being upper slot to just over.  Fish numbers haven’t been huge…typically 3 – 6 fish a day…but certainly good enough to send the average angler home smiling.  Small pinfish and cut baits have been the most productive baits.  Having said this, the trick to catching redfish is less about the bait and more about simply finding them.  Put a chunk of just about any fish in front of a redfish and it will likely be consumed.  Fish have been scattered along mangrove shorelines.  Although no large schools have presented themselves in the last few weeks, quality fish have been clustered in small groups so, once one is located, stick around as another bite may follow. Redfishing and snook fishing should only get better as the month progresses. Tarpon have started to appear on the beaches for those interested in targeting the largest of our inshore gamefish.

Good luck and good fishing.