Guide bites
Capt. Matt Cowden (727-534-6603): Capt. Matt says the redfish bite remained strong over the past week, with most of the fish his anglers landed being upper slot sized. Mangroves and bars along the Pasco coast are holding fish, and as we close in on fall, look for them to bunch up in bigger numbers and become more willing to chase artificial baits. Until then, cut bait and live sardines are good options. Gag season is open, running through the end of the month this year, the longes season in three years. Boats won’t have to go far to find keepers, with shallow-water (10 to 20 feet of water) fishing producing keeper sized fish. Anglers are permitted two fish per day 24 inches or longer. Anglers also should note that reef fish regulations apply, which means a rebooking device, a descending venting device and non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks mush be used when fishing with bait.
Capt. Josh Fritz (352) 345-9304: Capt. Josh reports the gag bite is on, and his anglers have been limiting quickly on every trip. He’s been fishing between 10 and 25 feet of water, using live sardines and pinfish. He hasn’t been targeting them, but anyone looking for mangrove snapper will do best in 30 feet of water and deeper. Inshore, the redfish bite is solid, with fish on the outside Gulf points and oyster bars, as well as along flooded mangroves. Singles up to small pods are the rule, though as we get closer to October, look for reds to start schooling in bigger numbers. He noted that October is one of the best months of the year for redfish action. Snook are on the outside, as well. For trout, most of the fish remain on the deep grass beds in 10 to 13 feet of water, though look for that pattern to change soon. By the end of the month, Capt. Josh expects these fish to move onto our shallow grass beds, where the bite will be strong into fall.
Capt. Cody Albright (727) 992-3918: Capt. Cody wasted no time getting in on the gag grouper fishing once the season opened. He’s been focused on the fish in shallow water, working between 8 and 12 feet of water. The season runs all month and he’s planning on staying on the gags until the season is a wrap. He uses plugs and live pinfish and sardines, often rigged on heavy spinning tackle, which provides great sport.
Tackle shop roundup
Tarpon Trading Company (727) 937-1488): Larry reports that customers have been hitting the offshore rocks and breaks for gag grouper, some reporting some good luck with keeper-sized fish. Larry got out for a short trip and working 45 feet landed a number of gags to 23 inches. The trip was cut short, otherwise he thinks hitting several spots in that depth range would have eventually paid off. Hogfish have been another offshore target starting in about 40 feet, though interest in them isn’t as great now that gags are open through the end of the month. Inshore, anglers have been connecting with redfish along the back side of Anclote Key, working mangroves and potholes, including at Dutchman Key. Other nice catches have been made in the new pass cut by the last big storm. Not much was reported regarding snook, though spots that have produced lately include either of the bridges on the Fred Howard Park causeway. Driving a live bait like a small grunt in the current there can pay off.
Armed Anglers (727) 954-1808: Will says that anglers have been doing well on gag grouper in 50 to 60 feet of water. Others have not had to go so far. One boat reported a three-angler limit in short order fishing in about 35 feet of water. Frozen sardines, threadfin shad and live pinfish have been top baits. Inshore, the redfish bite has been good, and Will got into them himself on a recent trip fishing around the mouth of the Anclote River and the spoils along the boat channel there. Others made good catches along flooded mangroves north and south of the river, as well as on the backside of Anclote Key. Will said the shady side of islands and growth is where the bite has been better. Fishing both ends of Anclote Key in 8 to 10 feet of water with live chubs and small, finger mullet produced some nice flounder and mangrove snapper on another trip. There still are some snook on the beach at the island, though a lot of fish have moved closer to the coast and into backwaters.
Mad Mosquito Outdoors (352) 556-2055: Jorge says several customers have reported that the gag grouper fishing has been good, with many getting limits. The best part is they are not having to go too far for them, with good catches between 16 and 20 feet of water in waters off Pasco and Hernando counties. Trolling large plugs and bottom fishing with live pinfish have both been working well. Inshore, anglers have been doing well fishing grass flats for trout. Working through the undersized fish to get the keepers can be expected. The redfish bite along the northern Pasco coast has been pretty good, with fish on mangroves and around bars when the water is up. Several reported spotting tarpon rolling on the flats off Aripeka.