The Tampa Bay Times

Spring is at hand and the fishing is very consistent in the north Pinellas region. Snook have begun their migration towards the beaches although some recent cool fronts have stalled their progress. Many have been staging around the spoil islands in the intercoastal waterway of St. Joseph Sound and also the interior beaches of the barrier islands. A few have made their way around to the west however, in the next couple of weeks, there should be more and more showing up. In the early part of the season, they are very eager to eat most offerings, such as sardines, threadfin herring, or pinfish. Later in the season, they become a little more wary of fishermen and require more patience. One of the biggest mistakes anglers make is to oversize their tackle. Snook can see very well and are shy of large hooks or any type of wire or heavy leader. Trout are still holding on the inside of the intercoastal, but making their way to the beaches as well. Some of the underwater rocks and troughs along the barrier islands from Caladesi to Anclote Islands are holding trout. Not in the numbers we should expect in another month, but they are at least making a showing. Redfish had been improving but this week has seen a slow down in their willingness to bite. Perhaps the post cold front conditions have had an effect. Hopefully the fish I am finding will resume a normal pattern of eating over the next week.  

Brian Caudill
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