Did something out of the ordinary this evening, We went trolling in a 14 foot John boat up and down the the north channal of Gulf Harbors, Pasco Florida. Gulf Harbors is a unique system of deep water cannals which harbors many game fish including Snook, Red Fish, Jack and Ladyfish. Gulf Harbors is a excellent retreat for windy choppy days on the water. Located north of anclote power plant a short distance from St Josephs Sound. We started off at 2pm loaded with artificials and yo-zuri ‘ red and white’ lurers. The red and white Yo-zuri lurers seemed to out fish the rest or our artificial arsonal this day on the north channal of Gulf Harbors. We caught many small Snook and a couple nice trophy keeper snook. We even hooked into a couple nice sized black Sea Bass half way up the channal. We ended the day fishing for sheephead under the docks which proved very productive and exciting. Since this was a un-planned trip unfortunately I did not have my camera with me for this. I have inclosed a aerial photo of Gulf Harbors.

This weekend looks to be a very good fishing weekend and I will keep you updated with reports and photo’s. Temps in the 80’s should raise the water temp. a bit possibly bringing in some bait.

As March steadily aproaches the Gulf waters start to warm. This brings the grouper closer inshore to with in reach of us common boaters range. The grouper will be in 19 to 35 foot of water at this time if we continue our warming trend. For this area of Pinellas this means 3 to 6 miles off shore easy reach with a properely rigged boat. If bottom fishing look for rocks or ledges on your fish finder then lay down some large pinfish or grunts. If you use sardines or squid you will shorly find some Grey snapper but that is another story all to itself. If bottom fishing is not you style try trolling . Rig a 4 ought with a stretch 15 or 25 these are made by Strom or Manns. Can be purchased at any Wallmart. Rig your lurer with a heavy 3 foot leader Steel is ok as well, then Slow troll at 4 and a half to 6 miles an hour. Make sure you have atleist 30 to 40 yards of line out. Set you drag semi tight just so you know your getting a bite no need to set the hook the fish will do this for you. once you have the Fish On slow the boat to half speed never stopping. keep constant pressure on the line. It is your job to catch the fish its the fishes job not to be caught. Giving the fish slack will allow him to spit the hook out. Keep in mind the local Salt Water regulations that vary from county to county befor keeping you prize catch. Pictured here is just one example of a short trip in September. You will be amazed of your by catch when trolling as well. We have maxed out our bag limits on grouper many of days well with in the sight of land.

Sharks are more or less a given, fishing here in Pinellas county starting in spring time March to late Dec. We almost can bet on atleist 3 to 4 a day when we are not fishing for them. They will hit almost everthing from battered pinfish to small shrimp or squid. Best time is at dusk to Morning when fishing for these eating machines. You can catch them from shore or on boat. I have found for this area fishing Hurricane pass or the north end of Honeymoon Island the most productive inshore, both excesible by land or by boat . Off shore or near- off shore any place will work they will find you no need to hunt them down. A chum bag will speed up the process but not needed. Medium to heavy gear is a good start or light gear if your looking for a challenge. Float some pinfish out on a balloon float on top and have another midway or on the bottom use a steel leader(2 to 3 foot long) to make sure you fight lasts more than 15 seconds. Pinfish/grunts/finger mullet alive or dead will work. Sit back for a little bit… never leaving your pole unattended and soon you will have more excitment you might have barganded for. My fiance loves the fight of a shark and glows when she lands them onboard or just to leader reach.

Fishing in Feb. We seem to see alot of different things . We had a un expected visitor who circled the boat and hung out for quite a while . I think he or she was waiting for free hand outs such as a redfish or smaller trout that we wouldn’t be needing. My fiance had named him or her chunk do to the large chunk missing from the dorsal fin.

This long weekend of Feb. 18th, 19th, and 20th have proven to be a fishing experiance. Water is still cold hovering around 62 degree’s . The trout are hungry though and were snatching up shrimp and pin fish as quick as we could bait the hook. Went out Sat. and Mon. maxed out on limets both days. Fished outgoing and incoming tides both very productive. Try fishing close the islands for best results the fish have seemed to have moved off the flats and congragated in the shallows. Look for deep holes around the rocks or dark spots . With 3 onboard and all of us holding our max I found my self
cleaning fish for a while.

Here on the gulf coast as the water starts to warm, the kings start to run. We will let you know when we see the first sign of this in the Tampa bay area.