Pier 60 Fishing Report

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!

Summer visitors to Clearwater’s Pier 60 are enjoying good fishing. Pompano, Cobia, Redfish and Sheepshead are plentiful. Proud fishing visitors display their catch:

Map of the Downtown Boat Slips

The south basin section of the City of Clearwater Downtown Boat Slips are now open. The Downtown Boat Slips will transform Downtown Clearwater into an active, dynamic waterfront that will become a destination for visitors cruising the Florida coastline and for locals out for a day of fun.

The north basin section is still under construction and is projected to be completed by mid summer. There will be a total of 126 boat slips as well as 1,700 feet of overnight space for visitors 700 feet of space for daytime visits and special events that are happening in the downtown area. The daytime space will be free.

Downtown Boat Slip Availability

There are slips currently available in the south basin boat slips. The boat must fit within the area of the slip. The rates for the slips are:

• Residents $9.00 per foot – length of the slip
• Non-residents $10.50 per foot – length of the slip

Slips are available to anyone that is interested, regardless of residency, on a first-come, first-served basis. The boat slip lengths range in size from 30 feet to 55 feet.

The boat slips facility will include 24-hour security, restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, electricity and cable hook-ups and a pump-out service. Parking for the boat slips is also conveniently located.

For more information or if you are interested in renting a slip, call the Downtown Boat Slip office at 727-562-4981 or 727-224-7156. The boat slip office is located across from Coachman Park at the very end of Drew Street.

The Downtown Boat Slips, as they will appear when completed.

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!

After a unusually cold winter, the fishing is heating up at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach, Florida.