High levels of a toxic algae in the water closed the scalloping season Aug. 6. The FWC routinely monitors the water quality during the scalloping season, as shellfish pick up toxins as they filter water through their systems. Scallopers should monitor myfwc.com for updates and a possible reopening of the season. Scalloping remains open in Hernando County waters and the hunting there has been productive this season.
Guide bites
Capt. Josh Fritz (352) 345-9304: Capt. Josh is sticking with what’s working, and that’s working redfish around the outside, hard-bottom points and oyster bars. All the rain we’ve been seeing has pushed fish out of backwaters and into the Gulf. Most have been slot-sized, though some undersized fish are around. He’s using live sardines and pinfish for most of his fish. A few snook are on these outside points, as well as along rocky island shorelines. They’ll take the same baits. There are some trout feeding in the shallows near the rocks and on grass and sandy bottom, though their numbers are not great. Those hooked have been quality fish, however. For better luck on them, work the grass bottom out in 10 to 13 feet of water, where fish have taken up for summer. Live shrimp, sardines or jigs with soft-plastic tails worked on or near the grass works. Expect a fair number of undersized fish before connecting with the keepers. Offshore, fish rocky bottom at around 30 feet with live shrimp to load up on mangrove snapper. A few hogfish likely will be in the mix, though they generally are undersized. Move to around 50 feet and use the same bait for those. Scalloping remains very good on his trips up to above Bayport in Hernando waters. Going into the weekend, the scalloping was shut down in Pasco waters due to water quality concerns, but hunters may want to keep an eye on the FWC website this week in case it reopens.
Capt. Cody Albright (727) 992-3918: Capt. Cody reports that over the past week he’s done very well on redfish. The rain has pushed a lot of fish out to the creek and river mouths, where they are taking fresh cut bait well, with his choices being ladyfish, pinfish and scaled sardines with their tails cut off. He’s run into schools of up to 60 fish, with sizes ranging from about 19 to 33 inches landed. They are particularly active now that the water temperatures are down. He’s measured temps as low as 81 degrees. Fishing early in the morning around the mouth of the Cotee River with top-water plugs on one trip, his anglers bagged eight nice reds and four snook. Fishing early is ideal with artificials. The shallow grass flats along Pasco are holding lots of scaled sardines, so netting a bunch has been easy work. Mangrove snapper fishing is hot around residential docks, rocks and other structure. The canals of Gulf Harbors are loaded with them, along with plenty of keeper-sized fish. Capt. Cody ran a trip out to the hard, limestone bottom in 10 to 12 feet of water and got into some great action on gag grouper, taking fish up to 36 inches using diving plugs and live sardines. He believes the fish have been there for a while, though dormant due to the hot Gulf water. The rain dropped water temperatures, firing up the gags. They are out of season, so it is sport fishing only. The action was a good sign for what the open season may show us in the fall.
Capt. Matt Cowden (727-534-6603): Capt. Matt says the closed scalloping in Pasco waters meant he got back to fishing. Shark fishing the flats continues to be the best action going, with a variety of species around in big numbers and readily taking baits. The deeper edges of flats and around any shallow structure are good places to find them. Redfish action has been heating up as the water cools from rains, so scouring the flats, mangroves and bars for them right now is a good option. Mangrove snapper fishing is something we have to look forward going into September, as it is this time of year that bite is very good around inshore structure, canals and docks. It’s also the time of year the bigger fish starting showing up in bigger numbers. They take live shrimp or small, live sardines.
Tackle shop roundup
The Rusty Bucket (727) 645-6598: Capt. Bill says the reds are schooling and hungry on the shallow flats along the Pasco coastline. He’s found water temperatures in the high 70s on his trips, and the fish seem to really like it. He’s been using cut bait for the reds, but with the cool water, throwing artificials like gold spoons or jigs with paddle tails on the outgoing tides also gets them. Fishing earlier is better. Snook have been a bit hit-or-miss over the past week, but he’s been taking a few on live sardines in creeks on higher tides. There also are fish on the beach at Anclote Key, where the spawn goes down every summer. It’s best to hit them when the wind permit. For anyone looking for the thrill of landing a shark, now is the time. Fish 4- to 5-feet-long are all over the sand bar north of Anclote Key. They are taking about anything thrown at them. Offshore, red grouper and red snapper fishing has been very good in 80 to 120 feet of water. The big mangrove snappers are right there with them. Cut threadfins or sardines, along with live pinfish, have been good baits for all three.
Tarpon Trading Company (727) 937-1488): Guy reports a drop in the number of customers due to rainy weather, though he’s heard a few good reports, including a couple of anglers fishing in kayaks around mangroves and bars out of the Anclote River who have been scoring some nice catches of redfish. The fish are up around the grown on higher tides, with live and cut bait working. Snookers will find fish on the beach at Anclote Key. They are out of season, so they must be released. Trout fishing is best right now in 8 to 10 feet of water over grass bottom. Live shrimp or jigs with soft-plastics fished deep will get them. That depth range off the points at the north and south ends of Anclote Key also may produce a few slot-sized fish on shrimp or jigs.