What’s the best thing about fishing in Northern Pinellas County during the fall?  Diversity.  There are so many species available to be caught that a plan must be made the night before to know what tackle to have on board…snapper, grouper, kingfish, mackerel, redfish, snook, seatrout, bluefish, and tripletail all represent possibilities.  Over the last week, wind permitting, trips have been made to near shore rocks in 20 feet of water in pursuit of kingfish and spanish mackerel.  The mackerel have been large and the kingfish have ranged from medium to quite hefty as well.  Finding threadfin herring, sabikiing up a few and slow trolling them around the schools of bait is genrally a productive approach but there’s better entertainment value getting on anchor and chumming.  Using 10 lbs test makes it sporting for the mackerel…and real sporting for the kingfish.  Larger rods are recommedned when the kings show up although medium sized kings can be landed on the light inshore gear.

Redfish have slowed a bit in the last month but an interesting phenomenon happening now is a resurgent snook bite.  Generally, this late in the year, snook are becoming an occasional catch but with water temps still in the low seventies, they represent a very realistic target.  Fish have been landed on every trip when they have been targeted and larger specimens are still available.  Jumbo whitebait seem to be the best bait although a fish will occassionally eat a grass grunt. If fishing near structure, go to at least 20 lbs test but, if out in the open, stay with the 10 lbs outfits and enjoy the fight.
The large winter seaport have not shown in any number yet but this should happen after the next cold front or two. Snapper have been on near shore reefs and, on a recent trip, several quality gags were hooked in water less than 30 feet.  Good luck and good fishing.
CapMel Staff
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