The summer conditions are making things tough on anglers, but adapting to the weather can pay off. In these conditions, many hit the water at daylight and are back at the ramp to load up before noon. There are afternoon and evening opportunities, as well, when conditions are cooler for anglers and fish alike.
Safety is a concern at this time of year, so staying hydrated and protected from the sun is important. Anglers fishing around afternoon thunderstorms also run a risk dealing with choppy seas and lightning. Waiting until after the late-day storms pass and fishing into evening is a safer bet and likely will be far more productive.
The lights around docks and bridges attract baitfish and shrimp. That’s where many fish species will be hunting and that’s where anglers will want to be.
Guide bites
Capt. Josh Fritz (352) 345-9304: Capt. Josh has been fishing schools of redfish and doing well. He’s been focusing on outside rocky points and island shorelines. Live sardines, pinfish or cut bait works on them. He’s coming across a few snook on some of the same spots, with the live sardines the best option for them. For those looking for keeper-sized trout, the big ones are in deep water at this time of year, with grass bottom in 8 to 12 feet of water where you’ll find them. Getting jigs with soft-plastic tails or live shrimp down near the grass is a winning tactic. Offshore, the mangrove snapper bite is on, with plenty of keeper-sized fish in 55 feet of water. Live shrimp on the bottom takes them. Keeper hogfish have been relatively shallow of late, with shrimp taking them around rocks and ledges in as little as 30 feet of water. The tarpons are still here and anyone who wants a shot at one will want to look on the deep grass flats off the coast all the way to Homosassa.
Capt. Matt Cowden (727-534-6603): Capt. Matt says the snook bite has been solid, with the last full moon providing an excellent bite. Live pinfish and grunts have been great baits for the big ones. He notes that between very hot water and freshwater runoff from backwaters it can be difficult keeping bait alive, so keep an eye on that. If it shows signs of distress, a move to cooler, saltier water can be made. Redfish action has been reliable, with the species more resilient in warm water. Sharks are everywhere this year and there still are some tarpons in local waters, with what looks like a bunch of spawners recently returning to the shallows from offshore.
Capt. Cody Albright (727) 992-3918: Capt. Cody reports that the hot water means the redfish are a little slower to respond, though he’s been doing well considering. Deeper water near shady mangrove overhangs up and down the Pasco coastline is prime, though he’s also getting some around oyster bars when the water is high. Live sardines or pinfish have been good bait choices, though a piece of cut ladyfish also gets it done. He’s been finding a surprising number of snook around docks and mangroves along the coast, including some large females. He suspects these big fish may have wrapped up their spawning activity on the beaches and are returning to the backwaters. These are good feeders, as is typical post-spawn when fish feed heavily as they return to normalcy. Capt. Cody is noticing a lot of mangrove snapper around docks and other structure near shore. Live shrimp is taking plenty of keeper-sized fish. Shark numbers this year are “unreal,” with a variety of species on our shallow flats, including some jumbo bull sharks. The cobias are here in decent numbers, as well, and often can be seen trailing sharks. They also tag along behind pods of rays, looking for an easy meal the passing rays flush out of rocks and grass on the bottom.
Tackle shop roundup
Tarpon Trading Company (727) 937-1488): Larry reports that a guide looking to fill an order for a mess of grunts for a fish fry ended up with something better. Fishing off Anclote in 25 to 30 feet of water, his anglers landed a load of mangrove snapper up to 17 inches. The grunts typically are around those depths at this time of year, but if the snapper are cooperating, there’s not much motivation to hunt them down. Customers have been reporting getting into some redfish on the back side of Anclote Key, with the mangroves around Dutchman Key there one of the more productive spots. Live shrimp has been taking slot-sized fish. There also were redfish taken around the spoils off the Anclote River, as well as from under docks around the river. The snook remain on the sand along the beach at Anclote Key. Large live baits are what’s used for the big ones. The season is closed and these fish are spawning, so if caught they should be landed quickly and released so they can get back to their business. There also have been reports from anglers hooking some blacktop sharks near the island, coming across them on the flats as they move from spot to spot. Those fishing south of the river have been taking keeper-sized trout working deeper pockets of water over grass, where the fish are enjoying cooler water temperatures. Live shrimp or jigs work. A customer who was doing a little snooping with an underwater Go-Pro camera recorded a bunch of snook hanging around the rocks at the north end of Fred Howard Park beach.