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Snook taken on live shrimp off Anclote

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BY NICK STUBBS

MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

Published: June 16, 2009

Updated:

Salonika's Bait and Tackle, 727-849-6377: Dan from the shop and a buddy were fishing the sand bar north of Anclote Key and took three snook to 40 inches. They used live shrimp in about 2 feet of water. They released all the fish unharmed. While there, they spotted the largest trout they had ever seen, estimating the fish at about 30 inches. Such fish are rare on the west coast of Florida but have been seen and caught. An angler fishing the back of Filman's Bayou, north of Hudson Beach, reported taking some reds 24 to 32 inches. They hit cut mullet fished on the bottom around mangroves and oyster bars. A number of reds were reported in the Salt Springs area just north of the Cotee River. Fish to 22 inches were caught on shrimp around oyster bars. Trout have been on the grass beds on the deeper flats off Salt Springs.

Dunedin Bait and Tackle, 727-736-3474: Anglers fishing off the sea wall at the drawbridge on the Dunedin Causeway have been taking some big trout. Keeper fish and some oversized to 27 inches have been landed on shrimp free-lined and fished under floats. Select shrimp have been the ticket for the gator trout. Another angler fishing the shoreline south of the causeway reported a limit of trout to 20 inches fishing shrimp around first light. An angler wading at Pet Beach, on Honeymoon Island, took three trout to 18 inches and a redfish just under 27 inches.

Holy Mackerel Tackle, 727-547-9889: Chad from the shop was fishing off Sand Key Beach just south of Clearwater Pass, where he hooked a landed several snook 26 to 36 inches. Live pinfish and select shrimp did the job.

One Stop Bait and Tackle, 727-842-5610: Anglers fishing the north end of Anclote Key caught and released snook to 38 inches. Live grunts and sardines fished in the swash channel just off the shoreline was the winning recipe. West of Hurricane Pass around the Veteran's Reef, boater reported a good snapper bite. Fish to 6 pounds were landed, though most were 14 to 15 inches. Live shrimp and pass crabs were working best, after chumming fish up to the surface. The back side of Anclote Key near the lighthouse produced a number of redfish to 22 inches and some slot-sized trout. One trout of 23 inches was landed. Live shrimp and DOA shrimp in root beer color were working well.

Pier 60, 727-462-6466: A few tarpon have been jumped at the pier, with a few landed and brought to the base of the pier for release. Live pass crabs have been good, but pinfish and live sardines have produced as well. Fish to 70 pounds have been typical. Mackerel have been schooling well at times, running 12 to 16 inches. A few fish to 22 inches have been caught. Live shrimp and sardines under float have been working well, along with silver spoons and Gotcha Plugs. A few pompano have been taken on Doc's Goofy Jigs. Fish to 14 inches have been normal, with the bite off and on. The night trout bite has been strong, with fish to 22 inches taking shrimp and live sardines under popping corks. A few snook have been caught and released after dark, with a mix of fish from undersized up to 38 inches. Live shrimp and grunts have been good baits.

Dubai Long Pier, 727-391-9398: The flounder have been around at times during the day. Fish 12 to 20 inches have been landed on shrimp rigged on jigs bounced along the bottom. Some have fallen for D.O.A. shrimp. Good numbers of small mangrove snapper have been caught after dark. Fish have been taking shrimp and fiddler crabs well. There have been some fish caught during the day. A lot have been undersized. Mackerel fishing has been on during the day, with lots of fish 12 to 15 inches. There have been some to 18 inches. Live sardines or cut, along with shrimp and Gotcha Plugs have been working.

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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