Clearwater/Anclote Inshore/Offshore Fishing Report
Pics from recent Inshore & Offshore trips (report below):
07/09 Fishing Report. Capt. Steve Baglio - Anclote area thru Clearwater Pass and Offshore out of Clearwater Pass.
Well, guys, the fishing has been good. Inshore and offshore. Not to say that things haven't been a little weird, and our time frames are off this year a bit. The late cold snaps coming into summer had some effects on our water temps that delayed things a bit, most notably the snook spawn and the Kingfish visit. It took a while for the water temp to hit that crucial 80 degrees, but eventually we got there.
The trout bite has been awesome if you've got the spots. This time of year I love to hit them at first light and just before dark with the topwater plugs. Heddon Spook Jr's and Rapala Skitterwalks are what you will find at the end of lines on my boat most days. Redfish and snook will also oblige if you range your casts close to mangrove lines in addition to the salt and pepper bottom that we know holds trout. Live bait freelined or under clacker corks will also get those trout active and eating. My personal favorite is a DOA CAL jig on a DOA jighead. GULP will work, but not so much better than DOA to justify the huge cost of trout fishing with GULP. Save em' for the redfish.
Speaking of redfish....it has been MY experience that they were a little elusive at times over the last few weeks but I am seeing them more lately and even the big schools of nearly 1000 fish in the Caladesi area. They are most responsive right now to live bait and cut bait soaked on the bottom. Throw your net over some pilchards or bring some cut ladyfish or mullet for good results. Best hint I can give you? It's hot..they are hanging out in the shade. At high tide hit the mangrove lines and cast as far under them as possible, crank down your drag and be ready to palm that spool, put the wood to them and get them out of there. If you've got the skills, skipping jigs under the mangroves and docks right now will produce. GULP shrimp, DOA CAL jigs and any jerk shads will do the trick. Bring extra jigheads if this is your gameplan. Entanglements are inevitable.
The snook bite has been just fantastic. The beach action and in the passes and bridges has been the usual deal - BIG hungry snook. We have tried just about everything so far with luck. Pinfish, pilchards, Key West grunts, threadfins and pigfish have all pulled bites. As is normal, the bite on artificial lures is tedious and totally proportionate to the individual's ability to offer a very realistic presentation. If you've got a fairly shallow draft boat and the confidence, I highly suggest idling the swash channels and sight casting to beach cruising snook, what a blast!
The Tarpon are still out on the beaches but they are starting to fade a bit. I saw more Tarpon off Anclote this year than I can ever remember. As most of you who know me can attest to, I do the majority of my Tarpon fishing south of John's Pass and around Egmont, the Skyway and Anna Maria Island. Dead or cut baits on the bottom or under corks strategically placed in front of approaching pods is the most effective method out on the beach. Live pinfish or big threads will work too, it's merely a matter of preference. We've got (hopefully) a big full moon tide this week and we're praying for a good crab flush. The Tarpon just love those pass crabs, scoop some up and join us for the outgoing tide this week at Little Boca Grande a/k/a Egmont!! If you don't hook a Tarpon, keep those pass crabs alive and carry them out to a near shore reef and try your luck at the Permit.
For those of you who don't know I am now also running a 32 foot Express Fisherman for Offshore charters out of Clearwater Pass. So, you can expect these reports as well from here on out. I also take in commercial catches over at Sabalo Seafoods and get some great reports from those fisherman as well. In a nutshell, safe to say that on the average right now the bite has been good at 50-60 feet and then out past 80-90. Cruise your routes and keep an eye on that bottom machine for those 1-2 foot ledges. These little ledges have been the best bet. Keeper Gags, Reds and American Red Snapper have been in the numbers worthy of the fuel costs. Always be sure that when you are anchored up or are drifting that you have your chum bag and flat lines out. The Kingfish have been crushing the flat lines, along with Spanish Mackerel. Keeper triggerfish have been on the rise lately, which is a good thing as they are some tasty little fish.
Don't forget that scallop season just opened. Time to plan that trip up to Steinhatchee or Homossassa for those prized Bay Scallops!
Attached are some photos from this past few weeks' trips. Enjoy!
Good luck to you and take care!
Capt. Steve
www.specializedcharters.com
(727) 678-5282
07/09 Fishing Report. Capt. Steve Baglio - Anclote area thru Clearwater Pass and Offshore out of Clearwater Pass.
Well, guys, the fishing has been good. Inshore and offshore. Not to say that things haven't been a little weird, and our time frames are off this year a bit. The late cold snaps coming into summer had some effects on our water temps that delayed things a bit, most notably the snook spawn and the Kingfish visit. It took a while for the water temp to hit that crucial 80 degrees, but eventually we got there.
The trout bite has been awesome if you've got the spots. This time of year I love to hit them at first light and just before dark with the topwater plugs. Heddon Spook Jr's and Rapala Skitterwalks are what you will find at the end of lines on my boat most days. Redfish and snook will also oblige if you range your casts close to mangrove lines in addition to the salt and pepper bottom that we know holds trout. Live bait freelined or under clacker corks will also get those trout active and eating. My personal favorite is a DOA CAL jig on a DOA jighead. GULP will work, but not so much better than DOA to justify the huge cost of trout fishing with GULP. Save em' for the redfish.
Speaking of redfish....it has been MY experience that they were a little elusive at times over the last few weeks but I am seeing them more lately and even the big schools of nearly 1000 fish in the Caladesi area. They are most responsive right now to live bait and cut bait soaked on the bottom. Throw your net over some pilchards or bring some cut ladyfish or mullet for good results. Best hint I can give you? It's hot..they are hanging out in the shade. At high tide hit the mangrove lines and cast as far under them as possible, crank down your drag and be ready to palm that spool, put the wood to them and get them out of there. If you've got the skills, skipping jigs under the mangroves and docks right now will produce. GULP shrimp, DOA CAL jigs and any jerk shads will do the trick. Bring extra jigheads if this is your gameplan. Entanglements are inevitable.
The snook bite has been just fantastic. The beach action and in the passes and bridges has been the usual deal - BIG hungry snook. We have tried just about everything so far with luck. Pinfish, pilchards, Key West grunts, threadfins and pigfish have all pulled bites. As is normal, the bite on artificial lures is tedious and totally proportionate to the individual's ability to offer a very realistic presentation. If you've got a fairly shallow draft boat and the confidence, I highly suggest idling the swash channels and sight casting to beach cruising snook, what a blast!
The Tarpon are still out on the beaches but they are starting to fade a bit. I saw more Tarpon off Anclote this year than I can ever remember. As most of you who know me can attest to, I do the majority of my Tarpon fishing south of John's Pass and around Egmont, the Skyway and Anna Maria Island. Dead or cut baits on the bottom or under corks strategically placed in front of approaching pods is the most effective method out on the beach. Live pinfish or big threads will work too, it's merely a matter of preference. We've got (hopefully) a big full moon tide this week and we're praying for a good crab flush. The Tarpon just love those pass crabs, scoop some up and join us for the outgoing tide this week at Little Boca Grande a/k/a Egmont!! If you don't hook a Tarpon, keep those pass crabs alive and carry them out to a near shore reef and try your luck at the Permit.
For those of you who don't know I am now also running a 32 foot Express Fisherman for Offshore charters out of Clearwater Pass. So, you can expect these reports as well from here on out. I also take in commercial catches over at Sabalo Seafoods and get some great reports from those fisherman as well. In a nutshell, safe to say that on the average right now the bite has been good at 50-60 feet and then out past 80-90. Cruise your routes and keep an eye on that bottom machine for those 1-2 foot ledges. These little ledges have been the best bet. Keeper Gags, Reds and American Red Snapper have been in the numbers worthy of the fuel costs. Always be sure that when you are anchored up or are drifting that you have your chum bag and flat lines out. The Kingfish have been crushing the flat lines, along with Spanish Mackerel. Keeper triggerfish have been on the rise lately, which is a good thing as they are some tasty little fish.
Don't forget that scallop season just opened. Time to plan that trip up to Steinhatchee or Homossassa for those prized Bay Scallops!
Attached are some photos from this past few weeks' trips. Enjoy!
Good luck to you and take care!
Capt. Steve
www.specializedcharters.com
(727) 678-5282
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