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Bad Weather Disrupts Angling

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BY NICK STUBBS

MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

Published: August 25, 2008

Area waters murky and stirred, along with lingering wind and rain from Tropical Storm Fay, cut into fishing since early last week. Many tackle shops closed or closed early during the long, slow journey of the storm.

Tackle shop roundup

Dunedin Fishing Center, 727-738-5628: Prior to the weather turning bad, anglers fishing the southeast end of Honeymoon Island, near the pass and Pet Beach, were taking trout up to 20 inches on live shrimp and Berkley Gulp Strips on jig heads. There have been no reports of anyone fishing the area since last week, and with the churning effect of the rain and winds, it remains to be seen if things are going to pick up where they left off.

Gandy Bait and Tackle, 813-839-5551: With the poor weather we've been seeing, a lot of anglers opted for bridge and pier fishing rather than boating. The Gandy Bridge has been a destination, with anglers discovering some black drum to 12 pounds around pilings. Fishing from the catwalks with shrimp and crabs, anglers have caught fish as large as 40 pounds. Mangrove snapper to 15 inches have been taking shrimp, and a few trout have been landed.

Denny B's Bait and Tackle, 813-885-9811: Anglers fishing oyster bars in Mobbly Bay, in Oldsmar, have been finding some decent reds. Fishing has been slow the past week because of time lost as the storm passed. Anglers, however, took a few fish using live shrimp and spoons around bars off the point near the old Higgins power plant. The grass flats in deeper water have been holding some keeper-sized trout.

Pier 60, 727-462-6466: The big pier offered anglers a way to get out on the water without braving the waves and swells. Mackerel have been taking shrimp and live sardines well, with gold and silver spoons also doing the job. Fish have been running up to 16 inches. Mangrove snapper were biting well prior to the rain and winds last week, but murky water seems to have dulled the bite. Fish have been running 11 to 13 inches and taking cut sardines and frozen shrimp around pilings. Things should begin getting back to normal this week.

Redington Long Pier, 727-391-9398: Anglers have been taking a few reds 18 to 22 inches. Fishing over the last week has been slow because of weather, but a few diehards have been out and taking a few fish early and late in the day. Live shrimp and cut bait fished on the bottom has been the best bet. Some mangrove snapper are being caught. Fish have been running from undersized to about 14 inches, with a fair number of keeper fish being landed. Small, live shrimp have been best.

Nick Stubbs is founder and webmaster of Bitetracker.com, a fishing Web site specializing in daily fishing reports displayed on animated fish tracking charts.

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