Pier 60 Fishing Report

Capt'n Tom

Fishing at Pier 60 in July has been great! The heat of summer is on us, and frequent squalls and summer afternoon thunderstorms are the norm. It is best to get out early to fish and catch the bite early, and then fish more later after the heat of the day has passed. The weather can go from a calm to a cloudbust in only a few minutes, bringing lightning and thunder to the beaches. Fortunately, the storms do not last long, and move on past after a cooling rain.

A young girl's1st catch

Spanish Mackerel are showing up at first light, and are biting shrimp, small live fish and lures. Though the bite is best in the early morning, these scissor-mouthed-speedsters continue to be found in the deeper areas of Pier 60 throughout the day. Some of the fish are in the 24-inch class, and are nice and fat. Most Macks are smaller, and there are some baby ones mixed in as well. Small Mackerel under the 12-inch limit must be returned to the water alive, and cannot be used as bait either whole or cut.

There have been a few recent reports of King Mackerel taking Spanish Mackerel off the hook when reeling them in. All these encounters have resulted in a cut line or a fish chopped in half, but the opportunity of landing a big King Mackerel from Pier 60 is still a possibility.

Late summer is also the time that a few Barracuda become residents of the maze of pilings at the end of the Pier. These fish will wait for an opportunity to ambush a hooked fish, and will chop off a meal just as the fish is about to be raised from the water.

Evan and friends release a large tarpon

Tarpon continue to travel past the end of the Pier in pods of a few dozen fish. Some anglers have managed to hook, jump, and release the “Silver King” successfully. There have been numerous fish caught and released in July, ranging in size from 40 pounds up to well over 100 pounds. Tarpon have been seen rolling, feeding and jumping all around the bait pods in the wee hours of the morning recently. Tarpon have been hooked on both live and dead baits.

Snook are still frequently seen under the lights at night, and have been fought and released in good numbers on many nights this month. Some fish have even been caught in the late afternoon on live baits. Florida has temporarily extended the statewide closure of Snook harvest and possession through September 16 in order to allow reports, information and input.  The Fisheries Commission will review the latest available information on the status of the Snook population, receive public input, and will then determine whether to reopen the fall harvest season or continue to prohibit harvest and possession.  Catch and release of Snook is still permitted.

Spotted Sea Trout are most often caught at night under the lights. Schools of keepers show up after dark, and will readily take a shrimp, small live fish, or lure. Good success with the grub-tail jigs tipped with a bit of fresh shrimp has been noteworthy. Many of the Trout have been keepers of over 15 inches, and there have been quite a few ranging well over 20 inches.

Only a few fishermen have targeted the Sheepshead in recent weeks, but the fish are feeding around the pilings in good numbers, and there have been a few really nice fat fish over 3 pounds taken by those who go especially for them.

Redfish have been caught and released this month off Pier 60. The fish have been “pups”, under the 18-inch to 27-inch slot limit. Look for more of these bruisers to show up as we get well into August. There should be fish both within the slot as well as fish over the 27-inch maximum.

George Indiana with a nice flounder

There have been Flounder caught off Pier 60 in July, with at least one doormat-sized fish landed. The bigger flatties have been caught on live Pinfish, and smaller ones caught on live shrimp.

Whiting are around in schools in the sandy areas about halfway to the end of the Pier from the baithouse. They readily take offerings of cut squid or shrimp.

Many species of Sharks have been caught and released from Pier 60 lately. Hammerheads follow the pods of Tarpon, and wait to pick off a tired or injured fish. Some of the Hammerheads seen have been over 6 feet long, with a couple of fish caught and released. BlackTip Sharks are a nightly catch on Pier 60. Most of these are babies, and show a lot of fight for such a small package. Spinner Sharks have provided a thrill for those fishing Tarpon and Snook at night. Imagine a 6-foot torpedo launching itself into the air, spinning as it goes! These fish all muscle, and jump repeatedly once hooked. BonnetHead Sharks are a frequent nightly catch on Pier 60, and include both babies and larger fish up to 36 inches. There have been both sightings and hook-ups with Bull Sharks this month on Pier 60. The resident fish range from 4 to 6 feet, and are powerful and experienced enough to thwart attempts to subdue them. Remember, intentionally fishing for Sharks is prohibited on Pier 60. All Sharks are to be released unharmed. Big Sharks are to be broken off once whipped, if the fish does not cut itself off first.

We have seen a fair number of Cobia caught this month on Pier 60. Only a few of the fish have been under the 33-inch minimum. These fish are powerful fighters, and excellent table fare.

Hardhead Catfish and Sail Cats show up when the waters are roiled up and cloudy. Beware and forewarned that these fish are dangerous to handle bare-handed. It is best to use pliers on the hook to remove these fish. The dorsal and pectoral spines are sharp and inflict a painful wound, as a few fishermen have found out to their dismay.

Additional species caught this month include Jack Crevalle, White Grunt, Pompano, and Mangrove Snapper. Look for larger Mangrove Snapper to show up along the rocky areas of the Pier in the weeks ahead.

August is one of the hottest months of the year here, and can also bring more violent weather with it. Keep an eye out for thunderstorms and lightning, and plan for fishing both early and late. We should see some great fishing here in August.

Good Luck Fishing!

Capt'n Tom

June means summer is in full swing, and fishing on Pier 60 has heated up as well.

We are still seeing a lot of Spanish Mackerel action first thing in the morning. The Macks have been hitting free-lined shrimp, small minnows, or plugs that mimic those small fish. We have also seen a smattering of undersize small King Mackerel mixed in with the Spanish. It is important to know how to tell the difference, as the King Mackerel needs to be at least 24 inches to the fork of the tail, while the Spanish need only to be 12 inches to the fork in order to be a legal keeper fish.

Tarpon are traveling in pods up and down the beach, and as they move past, offer a chance to hook up with the “Silver King”. Most of the fish are in the 50 to 80 pound class, but fish over 100 pounds have been hooked and jumped. Tarpon fishermen have been getting hits on live Pinfish or Grunts suspended under a float.

Snook caught June 2010 on Pier 60

Snook are all along the beaches and in the passes. Best time to get in a tussle with one of these bruisers is in the very early mornings, or late at night. The bite usually lasts an hour or two in the evening, and most anglers have found catch-and-release success using live Pinfish, Grunt, or Ladyfish. Many of the fish being caught are females well over 40 inches, and are survivors of the winter’s cold spells. It is hoped that these spawning fish will replenish the stock of this gamefish whose numbers were severely curtailed during the winter.

Spotted Sea Trout, June 2010

Spotted Sea Trout are showing up during the day here and there, but the best time to target them is at night. Live shrimp, small live sardines, and grubtail lures tipped with a bit of fresh shrimp are working best. Quite a few Trout over 20 inches have been taken.

A few Redfish are starting to show up, and most are in the keeper slot size of 18 to 27 inches. Reds like shrimp best, but the larger fish will readily take a small live fish on the bottom.

Pompano action has been fairly steady, with a few fish taken daily. Some of the Pompano have been in excess of 18 inches, and are quite colorful, with their golden bellies contrasting against their bluish-silver sides. Pompano have been biting jigs and live shrimp.

Sheepshead can be seen feeding around the pilings during daylight hours, and some fishermen have caught a limit of ten fish in an afternoon. Success requires patience, a light touch, and the right bait and presentation.

Schools of Jack Crevalle make an appearance daily by rushing, en masse, into a school of fry or small baitfish, churning the water’s surface into a boiling mass for a minute or so. Jacks, although not considered good table fare, are a determined and strong fighter that break tackle with the initial hit and sustained powerful fight.

Cobia are migrating down the coast, and Pier 60 provides ideal structure for a prowling crab-eater. Some of the fish have been just undersize, but there have been a few keepers over 33 inches caught on live baits fished on the bottom. Cobia are inquisitive and opportunistic, and many times will follow the Manatees as they move up and down the beaches during the day.

A few Flounder were caught in June, with a few fish in the 18-inch range. Most have been around 12 inches, taken on live shrimp.

Whiting have been showing up in decent numbers over sandy bottom areas mid-way out on the Pier, and have been partial to cut shrimp and squid.

Lots of small Sharks have been caught and released this month, with the majority being BlackTip Sharks. BonnetHead Sharks are also here in abundance, and are seen mostly at night.

Some of the largest Key West Grunts seen inshore in years have been caught recently. Some of the Grunts have measured up to 15 inches, and provide tasty fillets. Grunts have been biting on squid and shrimp.

Other species we have seen this month include Undersize Gag Grouper, Blue Runner, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, and Ladyfish.

It’s a great time to get out and experience some of the best fishing of the year.

Good Luck Fishing!

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!

April fishing on Pier 60 has shown a great improvement!

Anglers were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine and catch quite a few fish.
Silver Perch or Butterfish have been showing up in good numbers, and are caught either with small pieces of cut bait, or a multiple-hook rig with cut baits. Though they are small, Butterfish provide a tasty meal of tiny fillets. The old-timers would pan-fry them whole and serve with grits for breakfast.
Whiting have also been caught in decent numbers at night, biting best on cut baits. Squid is usually the bait of choice for them.

Water temperatures have moved into the 70’s in April, and a variety of species followed this warmer water close to shore.

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel are around in good numbers, taking small baitfish suspended under a float, or biting well also on live shrimp under a float. The Mackerel also readily take a variety of lures; practically any lure that has a bit of flash and looks like a small wounded fish will usually draw a strike. Got-Cha plugs and small spoons work very well here, as do some of the larger Sabiki rigs.

When the waters reach the mid-70’s, King Mackerel make an appearance along the beaches. The solitary “Smoker Kings” ambush smaller fish, including Spanish Mackerel, with an unusual and exciting aerial display we call “Skyrocketing”. The Kingfish will jump high out of the water, arching upwards of ten feet high, and crash down on the intended victim, jaws agape, slicing it in half. It’s quite an awesome sight to behold, and by fishing with a large Blue Runner or other baitfish held near the surface, is one favorite way to hook a big King Mackerel. They are both strong and fast, and have a lot of stamina to test the abilities of even the most experienced fishermen.

Paul of Safety Harbor with Mackerel

Cobia are also showing up in good numbers, prowling about the pilings looking for an easy meal. The Cobia is curious and not at all shy, and usually shows up as a solitary fish swimming just under the surface. Cobia are also known to follow larger animals, like the Manatee, Eagle Rays, or Sea Turtles, and are hooked many times by tossing a fish or crab behind one of these larger cruising denizens. Cobia are one of the fastest-growing of our gamefish, and can get over 50 lbs in just a few years. To be a keeper, Cobia must be at least 33 inches long, measured to the fork of the tail. The Cobia will also seem unafraid of a hook and line, sometimes not seeming to be aware that he has been hooked until well into the fight. When he does wake up to the fact that he is in a battle, he becomes a thrashing torpedo, and will fight with abandon until he is totally whipped or breaks off.

We have seen many different kinds of undersize gamefish caught and released this month, including a few undersize Redfish, Flounder, and Snook. There have also been undersize Gag Grouper, Black Drum, Black Sea Bass, and Mangrove Snapper.

In addition, there have been some nice Pompano up to 16” taken, but they have been spotty. Bluefish and Ladyfish have been caught here and there, and is another sign that recovery from the cold winter is well in progress. Good quantities of Sheepshead are gathered around the pilings, nibbling on barnacles and small crustaceans.

Angelo from Tampa with a Spanish Mackerel

Spotted Sea Trout fishing has been good, with quite a few keeper Trout taken at night. Best baits for them are live shrimp free-lined or small live minnows under a float. Trout need to be at least 16”, and one fish of the daily bag limit of four may be over 20”. We have seen quite a few fish over 20” this month, with a few Trout going over 24”.

Bonnet head shark caught by Carlos

With all the sealife around the Pier, there are bound to be Sharks, and many different species were seen or caught and released in April. Bull Shark, BlackTip Shark, Bonnethead Shark, and Great Hammerhead Shark were all seen recently here, but please remember that we have a no-kill policy here for all Sharks. We want them released unharmed, and that may mean just cutting the line once they are close, or de-hooked gently if they are small.

Bonnethead shark caught and released by Jose of Tampa

We are looking forward to a great summer season of fishing here on Pier 60. Tarpon will show up any day now, and there will be many exciting runs, jumps, and break-offs due to the “Silver King”.
We do have a fisheries emergency in place because of the oil well blow-out in the northern Gulf of Mexico, but it is too early to tell if and when we may see oil fouling our area. We can only hope that winds and currents keep the oil away from our beaches, and that the well is capped soon.
Good Luck Fishing!

Capt'n Tom

Fishing on Pier 60 during March was somewhat challenging, as more late-season cold fronts, winds and waves churned the Gulf of Mexico. Water temperatures ranged from the low-60‘s to the mid-60’s during the month, with winds blowing somewhat more than usual. While these weather systems made it difficult to fish, some anglers were able to get out between fronts and have some success.
Silver Trout and Silver Perch were around during early March, along with some Whiting. Most anglers had best results using cut squid, as it stays on the hook well, and is difficult for the fish to nibble off or steal. Fishing when the water is not clear usually results in Hardhead Catfish and Sail Catfish appearing on the end of the line. Sail Cats up to 5 lbs. were caught, and as mentioned last month, have become accepted table-fare. Sharks were also active this month, with many small sharks caught and released.
In addition, some Sheepshead were taken, along with Black Sea Bass and a few Sting Rays.
Longer days and more direct sunlight are bringing air and water temperatures up, and as the warming trends continue, fishing also improves.

Nick and Ryan from Wisconson with Spanish Mackerel

The fishing forecast for April is optimistic and bright. Baitfish have spawned, and small fry bring in the more aggressive species. Spanish Mackerel are starting to show up, and a few King Mackerel should also make an appearance. Whiting and Silver Trout fishing will also improve greatly.

Tom from Manchester, England and Spotted Sea Trout

Many anglers are looking forward to good-sized Spotted Sea Trout activity, and some good catches. There will be some Cobia cruising about looking for an easy meal, and also more large Sheepshead to be caught around the pilings. The variety and numbers of fish here will only improve as air and waters warm. Winter is finally over, and fishing is looking up.
Good Luck Fishing!