North Pinellas, Stewart Ames

So winter did finally decide to show up in the last few days.  This put an end to 3 -4 weeks of mild temperatures and relatively calm winds…ideal for near shore fall kingfishing. The last month was exceptional, with 3 – 6 fish being the norm on most 4 hour trips.  The real beauty of these recent trips was that, since large schools of threadfin herring were dependably just a couple miles off of the beach, securing whitebait before departing in the morning wasn’t even necessary.  Simply run to the area, sabiki up a few dozen thread fins, and begin slow trolling. On most days, seven foot spinning rods spooled with 20 lbs test were used but, once a few fish had hit the deck, inshore rods with 10 lbs test were occassionally substituted.  As long as a short trace of steel leader was used, it was simply a matter of staying with these fish on their first runs….chasing them down so they didn’t empty the spool.  Too much fun.

Interestingly, snook were fairly abundant over the last month as well as water temps held near 70 degrees on most days.  Some fish were still out on the beaches, as well as in spots that they should be inhabiting now….along intercoastal spoil islands and in the backwaters.  Although more pateince was required to put a hook in one than during summer months, fish were caught on most days when they were targeted.  Unlike over in Tampa Bay, where there is a winter fishery due to the various rivers that feed the bay, snook fishing off northern Pinellas County usually goes away, for the most part, as winter arrives.  This year was a wonderful exception. The last three nights of high forty degree temps have probably quieted things down though.

With last month’s primary targets going quiet, what’s the main focus now?  Big Winter Seatrout. These fish have begun to show up…not in the big numbers that are the norm for the area, but certainly in enough numbers to target them.  Several recent trips have produced limits…others 3 – 4 fish, but fish are 17 inches and up.  Whitbait is the preferred offering, although temperature drops tend to push it offshore so, at least in the near term, with cool temperatures forecast for the next few days, it may be time to place a select shrimp order.  Either bait, free-lined or under a bobber, should produce. If targeting only trout, tackle can be downsized significantly…light spinning rods with 2500 series reels and 10 lbs test.

Near shore reefs may still be holding some quality mangrove snapper although no reports have come in since the last cold snap.  It’s probably worth a look out there to see what is going on however.  Redfish are spotty now, but will continue to be on the target species list through winter.  Once a big limit of trout is secured, a nice redfish is always icing on the cake.  Good luck and good fishing.

Captain Stewart Ames