Fishing Report – April 20th, 2024

Here is the April 20th, 2024 fishing report. My reports are published in the Tampa Bay Times every 4th and 20th of the month! Thank you for reading, and I look forward to getting you all out on the water soon! Capt. Brian.

Warm and stable temperatures are forecasted for the next few days. This will allow fishing patterns to also stabilize and usher in a wave of great fishing.

Finally, Snook are beginning to show up along the beaches, but not in the numbers we would usually expect for this time of year. A bit cooler and unpredictable weather pattern has kept the water temperature slightly low, but now snook our venturing to the west. They are inhabiting their normal transitional locations throughout the intercoastal waterway on their way to the barrier islands from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs. However, the numbers we are seeing are quite low in general. Snook are very susceptible to red tide and extreme cold temperatures.

Over the years it seems their numbers have dwindled and only conservation measures through handling and releasing fish can help to increase their numbers for the future. Trout have also begun a migration out of the intercoastal waterway and more towards the beaches as well. Often times, the bigger trout that are targeted through the winter in the same locations as snook. Especially around the rock jetties and over any grass or rock structures, parallel to the shoreline. Trout will also congregate in troughs and swash channels just like snook.

Reports of Kingfish and Spanish Mackerel are good but mostly beyond the 5 mile mark in northern Pinellas County. Looking for diving birds and large bait schools is a good way to target kings and mackerel.  Sitting on anchor and chumming or slow trolling threadfin herring can be very productive.

If you are interested in booking Clearwater Fishing Charters, please contact us today. As the leading Clearwater Charter Fishing Company with over 35 years experience, we will insure you have a great day of fishing!