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Cold Weather Continues To Dampen Angling Action

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BY NICK STUBBS

MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

Published: February 3, 2009

Updated:

Several cold nights counteracted whatever warming the day brought over the past week, keeping anglers and fish guessing. As water temperatures have remained down, backwaters, rivers and canals remain a focal point, though a bright spot was that the open flats continue to hold fish between Howard Park and Dunedin Causeway.

The gang at Dunedin Fishing Center report some monster trout landed fishing the spoil islands there. When using jigs, it may be a good idea to slow them down and work them closer to the grass bottom. The chilly water means the fish are not going to be as active or willing to chase down their meals.

If your goal is just getting the line stretched, hit the rivers and work bars and docks for sheepshead. They are a hardy species that doesn't slow down much in cold water. Live and dead shrimp are good baits, fished on the bottom. Typical fish are 10 to 15 inches, but fish to 20 inches can be taken at times.

The hook set is important with this tricky species. They nibble with their large teeth and have a bony plate in their mouth, both of which make them difficult to hook compared to other fish. Sharp hooks and a quick set when you feel the bite is essential.

Tackle shop roundup

Anclote Bait and Tackle, 727-945-1808: Anglers are finding the bite hard to follow, with the weather bouncing between cold and hot. The Anclote power plant outfall has remained fairly consistent, with trout and pompano two of the main species being caught. Live shrimp has been taking trout, while pompano jigs tipped with shrimp is working on the pompano. Generally, most anglers coming in the store have not been bragging much. The sheepshead bite has been fair inside the Anclote River. Fish are taking shrimp around docks, rocky areas and oyster bars. The fish don't mind the cold water as much as other species.

Dunedin Fishing Center, 727-738-5628: Whiting have been biting well off the beach at Hurricane Pass. Live and frozen shrimp have been working, as are Love's tandem-rigged jigs. Good numbers of silver trout are being taken there, as well, with most topping out at about 12 inches. The grass flats north of the Dunedin Causeway, along the Intracoastal Waterway, have been turning up some big trout. Fish to 20 inches have been caught, with reports of at least one fish pushing 30 inches. The spoil islands west of Crystal Beach have been particularly productive. Live shrimp and jigs with root beer colored soft tails have been working well.

Pier 60, 727-462-6466: Whiting and silver trout have been the most consistent now that water temperatures have fallen. Live and frozen shrimp is producing silvers to 14 inches and whiting to 11 inches. A few spotted trout are being taken along with them, the larger fish topping out at 17 inches. Most of the spotted trout are being caught after dark. Flounder have started showing up in the daily catches at the pier. Fish 12 to 14 inches are taking live shrimp dragged along the bottom on a quarter-ounce jig head or weighted hooks. The key has been to pull the bait through bare sand spots on the bottom.

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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