Capt'n Tom
Fishing is in full swing on Pier 60 in Clearwater. The waters are warm, winds have moderated, and a variety of fish are coming over the rail daily. Clouds of small fry are surrounding the pilings, and providing forage for a great fishing experience.
Winter weather patterns this year have pushed back some fish migrations as long as a month. Local captains and watermen agree that this year things are running behind schedule, but with warmer waters and baitfish spawning, the action is catching up fast.
Arrival of inshore species moving out from inside creeks and bays, coupled with offshore species moving closer to the beach, signals the start of the summer fishing season here at Pier 60.
Spanish Mackerel are holding at the edges of bait pods, and fishermen are catching plenty using live shrimp, live minnows, or lures. The Mackerel are fat, and are running from 12 to 20 inches. There have been a few King Mackerel hook-ups, but the Kings have outmatched the anglers, speeding away in a line-melting run that has ended in a break-off. In one instance, the rod was jerked right out of the fisherman’s hands!
Joseph of New Port Pichey caught a 34 inch Cobia
Quite a few Cobia have been seen lately, prowling around the end of the Pier, looking for a live fish or crab to feast on. These migratory fish are powerful adversaries, and will fight with all they are worth once they realize they are hooked. Fast-growing, Cobia must be 33 inches to the fork to be a keeper, and a fish of this size will challenge both gear and anglers to the limit. Cobia have a habit of following the Manatees and large Rays we see this time of year, so a live bait thrown behind one of these may trigger positive results.
Siegliende From Munich with Pampano
Pompano are schooling off the end of the Pier, and some really nice fish of 1 1/2 to 3 pounds have been taken. Pompano is a premier eating fish, and a fresh-caught Pompano is a real treat on the table. The Pomps have been biting both lures and small live shrimp.
Spotted Sea Trout action has been both consistent and great. Some fish are caught all day long on live shrimp, small sardines, or lures. But Sea Trout action is best after dark, when schools of keeper fish move around under the lights. Many anglers have left with a limit of four fish over 15 inches, and one of the four over 20 inches, as per Florida State Regulations. We have seen some really fat fish over 20 inches, and those bigger fish provide really nice fillets.
Catch-and –release fishing is always considerate to the resources, and we have many anglers who fish just for the pure sport of it. Releasing fish unharmed takes some technique and art, and we encourage all anglers to practice sensible conservation measures.
Big female Snook have moved out of the backwaters and passes, and are feeding off the end of the Pier at night. We have seen a few fish over 40 inches caught and released recently. In a matter of days or a couple of weeks, we should expect to see Snook of all sizes and sexes mingling in spawning dances and aggregations at night under the lights. Remember that because of the cold winter, the FWC has delayed the taking of any Snook until Sept. 1st.
Jesse cradles a Tarpon caught and released off Pier 60, May 22, 2010
Tarpon are rolling and schooling off the end of the Pier at first light. Later in the day, these fish move up and down the beaches in pods of a dozen or so fish. These fish will move past the Pier several times a day, each time an opportunity to have a hook-up and a battle with the “Silver King”. Several fish of 30 to 80 pounds have been caught and released in the past week or so, and many more have been jumped and spit the hook, or sizzled of in a line-breaking surge of power. Tarpon, of little food value today, are pure sportfish, and are protected from harvest, even with the requisite $50 FWC tag, until at least Sept. 1st.
In order to protect Tarpon, we ask that anglers do not bring Tarpon up onto the Pier for release. Flopping and banging around on concrete, scales flying everwhere, is just not responsible etiquette. Pop the hook off or cut the line while the fish is still in the water, please.
Kudos to Tyler and Jesse (see pictures) who catch and release Tarpon in a manner that reduces stress and assures the best chances of survival for the fish. Jesse swims out to the sandbar, cradles the fish gently, and removes the hook while the 80-pound fish recuperates. The only thing I might say to Jesse is to keep a sharp eye out for large Hammerhead Sharks and Bull Sharks that are known to zero in on the sounds of a hooked Tarpon. Some of these Sharks will sever a hundred pound Tarpon in half with one bite, so please be careful!
John from Tampa with Sharpnose Shark
Where you find Tarpon, you find Sharks, and there are big Hammerheads, Bull Sharks, and smaller species too. BonnetHead Sharks are common catches at Pier 60.
A few nice Mangrove Snapper have been caught at the end of May, and it should mean that more fish are arriving from offshore areas. Big Key West Grunts are also in attendance, with some fish measuring 12 to 15 inches.
Patrick Henry of Orlando with Spotted Sea Trout
There is even a resident 5-foot Barracuda lurking under the pier, on station between the maze of pilings at the end of the T.
Flounder action has picked up again, with more than a half-dozen keepers in the past few days. Lures and small live baits produced best.
Other catches include Sheepshead, Jack Crevalle, Blue Runner, Ladyfish, and undersize Gag Grouper. Black Sea Bass, Toadfish, Whiting, Bluefish, and Lookdown (Moonfish) were also caught.
June promises to be an excellent time to get out and see some of the best fishing of the year in these parts.
Good Luck Fishing!
