Fishing Report – August 20th, 2024

Here is the August 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.

Beating the midday heat has been the challenge lately in the northern Pinellas region. Flats have consistently reached 90° and above before noon. Things had cooled slightly after the last tropical storm, however, fishing was a little more difficult. Water had been stirred up and fish migrated to new areas. Snook are still congregating around the passes, but not in great numbers.

This year has definitely shown a decrease in numbers of snook. Yet, there have been some very productive days around the stronger moon phases. Trout are extremely plentiful on the grass flats around the passes in 5 to 7 feet of water. Typically smaller fish between 12 and 14 inches, but a school of bigger fish can be found if you move around enough. There are still large trout being caught while snook fishing.

Recently I have been going out to near shore reefs 3 to 7 miles offshore.  There tends to be more action when inshore fishing is slow. Using a 1 or 2oz. weight to drop in 25 -35 feet of water on light tackle rods has been producing mangrove snapper, grunts, sea bass and hogfish. Shrimp have actually produced the most quality snapper. Hogfish tend to prefer them as well. I use 1/0 circle hooks to 25 lb leader for most rods. Although, groupers will often bite and break off into the ledges and rocks. A little stiffer set up with 30 to 40 pound leader can help pull some of the gag and red groupers up before getting broken off.

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!