Mild Weather Has The Fish Chewing

Stable and warm weather on Clearwater Fishing Charters has had the fish extremely active in north Pinellas. Unlike most winter months, the bait has stuck around. Cast netting enough to fish with for the day has been easy. Trout have been absolutely on fire the past week. Slowing only a bit after the strong new moon phase passed by. They are still chasing and inhaling the sardines, also called “greenbacks”. The intercoastal waters between Clearwater and Palm Harbor are holding several fish up to 24 inches though most are 15 to 20 inches. Artificials have outfished live baits at times, especially when the fish are spread out. I like small paddle tail soft plastics with a 1/8 jig head. Redfish are showing up in schools. The high tides are lower than normal this time of year so the schooling redfish are forced to stay out of the trees and mangrove bushes and roam the flats with the mullet. Heavy chumming will attract the fish to your area. Lay out cut pieces of pinfish on a 2/0 circle hooks and wait for a strong pull away. Reds usually hook themselves as they take off with the bait. Snook are also cooperating lately. The water temps have crept into the low 70’s encouraging them to eat. Snook tend to prefer large baits such as threadfin herring, ladyfish or pinfish. The winds are forecast to be high this weekend, look for cover in bays or canals with deeper water that can hold fish. Docks will often have reds, sheepshead and snook underneath. Live shrimp pitched under a dock will get hit by any of those species.