Relatively mild weather the past week and a favorable forecast should improve fishing conditions along the North Suncoast.
The opening of snook season has coincided wonderfully with a spike in their feeding activity. Working deep docks and structures at night has produced some nice fish.
Slow retrieves with dark soft-plastic jigs has been most effective for snook. Free-lining shrimp across the edges of shadow lines in similar areas also works.
Trout season is closed in February along the North Suncoast, but catch-and-release action has been steadily improving. Try casting soft-plastic jigs on light spinning gear.
The key to fishing the flats for trout in the winter is finding at what depth the fish are concentrated. On sunny days with clear water you can simply drive along until you see them. On days where the water is a little stirred up, set your drifts through different depths.
Pay attention to the depth in which you get bites. Often you'll get the majority of your bites in one area or depth. Concentrate most of your efforts in that depth.
Artificial lures not only help you cover more area, they help prevent gut-hooking fish that have to be released. With the fish at the boat, take the time to remove the hook properly and release the fish in good form.
Traditionally, cobia begin to appear in front of the Anclote power plant outflow in February. In typical cobia fashion, the majority of fish follow large southern stingrays that glide along the flats in front of the outflow.
Cobia readily take a variety of artificial lures. In this situation I like to use soft-plastic eel replicas on heavy jig heads. Bright bodies, such as chartreuse, seem especially effective. Regardless of your lure selection, the trick is to make sure the fish sees it. Cobia don't seem to see well and are reluctant to leave a stingray.
Presentations should be made right in front of the fish. Don't worry about scaring the fish with your cast. As long as the ray stays around, the cobia will.
If you plan on targeting these bruisers, you might want to upgrade to heavier tackle than you normally use on the flats. Twenty-pound spinning gear should be plenty, but expect a long fight. Three feet of 40-pound leader is a good idea.
Cobia are known for violent fights, and lighter tackle usually won't stand up. And choose a jig head with an extra strong hook: A large cobia puts up a long fight and can easily straighten a light hook.
Rising water temperatures and a monthlong closure of commercial grouper harvesting should help offshore recreational anglers. Action has picked up in as shallow as 60 feet.
Live baits probably will produce some nice fish, but they aren't necessary; frozen and cut baits should work.
North Suncoast fishing is far from full swing, but it won't be long. A few more weeks of mild weather and longer days could turn things on as early as March.
- Pete Katsarelis charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at 727 439-3474 or by e-mail at pkatsare@helios.acomp.usf.edu
