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Front should herald arrival of kings

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BY NICK STUBBS

MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

Published: October 13, 2009

Fisherman's World, 727-942-8944: Matt reports it won't be long before the kings make their big move. Fish are showing up in small numbers now offshore, and with the front expected this week, it might be the turning point for more fish to show. Meanwhile, offshore anglers are hammering the mangrove snapper in 40 to 50 feet of water. The action on snook and reds is picking up, though most of the snook taken over the last week have been undersized, according to anglers. Trout are on the grass flats, and mackerel are everywhere, with the sand bar north of Anclote Key and prime location to bag a few fish. Silver spoons or Gotcha Plugs will do the job, along with live shrimp or sardines.

Florida Fisherman, 727-868-6405: Anglers working Gulf Harbors and nearby Sand Bay have been reporting some good action on redfish and snook. A boat fishing shallow rocks west of New Port Richey took a number of grouper in just 12 feet of water using live bait. Anglers working the mouth of the Cotee River took three reds of slot size, and a couple of snook. Fishing 30 feet of water west of Bayport, Jay from the shop and fishing mates scored big on mangrove snapper. They also got into some kings to 32 inches. He suspects the kings may show up in greater numbers after the next cold front. Pasco No. 1 reef continues to produce some big flounder, and good numbers of them. Most anglers are doing best fishing with live bait the perimeter of the reef on the flat bottom.

Anclote Bait and Tackle, 727-945-1808: Anglers fishing early mornings at the jetty near Pet Beach, at Honeymoon Island, have been finding a few pompano 11 to 14 inches. Yellow and white jigs tipped with shrimp have been effective. The bite runs just a couple of hours before shutting down. A few snook, most of them oversized, were reported by anglers fishing at night at the Main Street bridge on the Cotee River. Fish were taken on soft plastic jigs with root-beer tails and cut mullet around the pilings. Some slot-sized reds were caught at the mouth of the Anclote power plant outfall canal, with fish around the oyster bars and mangroves. Some snook to 32 inches were taken there, as well, along with some black drum to 20 inches or better. Boats fishing 30 to 40 feet west of the Cotee River reported taking some nice gag grouper. Fish to 8 pounds were caught on live pinfish and cut sardines.

Salonika's Bait and Tackle, 727-849-6377: A number of snook were taken by anglers fishing West Port canals around lighted docks at night. Fish to 30 inches were among those caught on live shrimp and finger mullet. Filman's Creek, near Gulf Harbors, has been turning up some reds to 25 inches. Fish have been taking live shrimp and sardines. Late and early in the day on the moving tides has been best. A couple of snook 29 to 30 inches were reported by anglers working the creek.

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