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Last week's high winds and cool night-time temperatures have temporarily stalled perfect fishing conditions.
The good news is the lull shouldn't last long and the sport likely will return to form soon.
Before the last front, it was take your pick out on the flats. Large trout had gathered in schools, preparing for their spring spawn. They responded well to live and artificial baits.
One day, a bait-well malfunction killed all of our live baits. This didn't seem to bother the trout, however, as we managed to catch 20-plus fish 18-22 inches.
The cobia activity last Monday and Tuesday was excellent near Anclote Power Plant. Unfortunately, strong winds and high amounts of fishing pressure scattered most of the targets by Wednesday.
The cobia still are out there on the flats but not in heavy concentrations. To find the fish, look for large southern stingrays cruising in 4-6 feet of water. Cobias often follow them, feeding opportunistically in the rays' wake.
Live sardines or pinfish under a cork usually get gobbled up if you manage to catch the cobia's attention. However, these fish generally are reluctant to leave the stingrays.
Sometimes a fast-sinking artificial jig will be more productive than a live offering because it allows more control over the presentation. A soft-bodied eel replica is a standard favorite.
Snook fishing was excellent early in the week.
Live sardines were the most productive bait. Though they probably will ease off on their feeding because of waning tides and this weekend's fishing pressure, the snook should be eating at full speed by the middle of next week.
Red fishing has been a little slow. Though plenty of fish are being caught, the vast majority have been small.
This is not unusual for reds early in the season. Every year large schools appear out of nowhere, taking posts along mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. Expect to see it happen again by the next set of major tides.
Offshore, plenty of variety was available until rough seas limited access.
Grouper fishing has been solid inside of 60 feet. Gags have been feeding readily on live and dead baits with equal conviction. Even trolling artificial plugs has been effective the past few weeks.
A strong blow like this does some good, moving fish around and replenishing spots. Action should remain good at this depth until water temperatures climb significantly.
The mackerel bite has been the real jewel of the spring. Nearly every reef and rock pile 15-60 feet has been swarming with these toothy speedsters.
Anchoring up tide of such a spot and hanging a chum block behind the boat is all that it takes to get them frenzied. Tossing live or flashy artificial baits in the slick should provide constant action. Before the last cold front, kingfish were responding well to larger baits in the same areas as the Spanish mackerel. Though they appear to have left in the wake of the front, kings should return any day. The fishing may be spotty for a day or two as the minor fronts come through, but it should remain good overall the next several months.
- 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