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Inshore fishing is offering plenty of variety on the North Suncoast.
Redfish continue to ride the tides on the flats. On high tides, try the mangroves and oyster bars. On low tides, work potholes and channels. When the tide is mid-level, fish transition areas between the two.
The large snook mostly have moved to their spawning areas, namely the passes and beaches to the south, but schools of smaller ones remain abundant in coves, canals and river mouths.
Though summer bait often is small, it's usually quite abundant.
Having a lot is especially useful when many of the pelagic species move near shore in large schools. These fish can be easily chummed into a feeding frenzy by tossing periodic handfuls of live sardines.
Large schools of ladyfish and bluefish are swarming the beaches off Anclote island and its northern sandbar. On sunny days, these fish are easy to locate by sight when idling in 3 to 4-feet of water.
Once you see the school, immediately throw a couple of pinched handfuls of greenbacks in their direction. Usually this will get their attention and keep the school next to the boat long enough to get some good casts. For non-stop action, continue to chum every few minutes. It ensures the school doesn't move out of casting range but requires a lot of bait.
Drifting these same depths while casting flashy mid-level lures or spoons will work well if you don't want to bother with catching live bait. However, whether using live or artificial offerings, you should connect it to a 6-inch stretch of wire shock leader. Though ladyfish don't have sharp teeth, a bluefish will cut you off in a heartbeat.
While pursuing ladyfish and bluefish, keep an eye out for sharks. Large blacktips like to frequent these same areas, and it's not uncommon to real back half a bluefish.
Blacktips are ferocious fighters with blazing speed. They're capable of fast runs more than 100 yards and known to jump out of the water when hooked. They fight nearly as well as a large tarpon.
Hanging a chum bag or tossing a few chunks of ladyfish or mullet near an anchored boat usually will draw the sharks quickly. Look for dark shadows moving across the sandy bottom.
For bait, use the same offerings as you do for chum.
Though it's not a necessity, medium spinning tackle (20 pounds) will make landing one possible without firing up the motor and chasing it.
Use a small section of wire shock leader to avoid being cut off. Five feet of 40-pound leader in between the wire and main line will keep the sharks' rough skin or throbbing tail from breaking you off.
In the rivers and canals, large schools of jack can be brought to a frenzy by chumming. Concentrate your efforts near structures close to drop-offs. Docks that extend into deep water are perfect. Oyster bars along channels are likely spots.
Though some of this fishing isn't prestigious, it can be fun - especially for kids on summer vacation.
- 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