Pier 60 Fishing Report

A Fishing Couple with Pompano Catch

December was warmer than usual, with a cold front passing through after the first week of the month. Only then did the wind and waves and cold air hurt the fishing here on Pier 60.

Lots of Silver Perch, also known locally as Butterfish, we caught in the afternoons and evenings here. Small but tasty, the Butterfish were taken on single or double-hook rigs using cut shrimp or cut squid.

Silver Trout were also seen in some abundance, with nice fish in the 8 to 12-inch range taken. Silver Trout have no size or bag limits, like the Silver Perch and Whiting, and are a bit more partial to shrimp rather than squid.

Whiting were biting on shrimp and squid, with many fishermen taking home a dozen or more fish in the 10-inch to 14-inch range. Their natural diet of small crustaceans and mollusks impart their flesh with a very sweet, mild flavor.

Fishing Guide Tom with a Gag Grouper

Spotted Sea Trout season remained closed for December, but a lot of fish were caught and released here during the month. Season re-opens January 1^st. Minimum size is 15 inches, bag limit of four fish, with only one fish per angler over 20 inches.

There have been Sheepshead feeding amongst the pilings of the pier, and some anglers have been able to catch a few of these chunky delicious fish for a meal. Sheepshead can be targeted by fishing a small morsel of shrimp on a small hook. Look for Sheepshead grazing on the pilings, chum a few pieces of cut shrimp, then put your hook weighted with only a split-shot down next to the pilings. When the line moves or twitches, set the hook and pull up your Sheepshead. If the hook comes up empty, try again with a smaller bait, and watch for the tell-tale bite. You will see it before you feel it in most cases.

Kevin from the UK with Pompano Catch

The mild weather of December allowed the water temperatures to stay warm enough for quite a bit of Spanish Mackerel action during the daytime. The Mackerel were feeding on live shrimp, lures like the Got-Cha plugs, and cut bait fished under a bobber.

We saw quite a few Flounder here this month on Pier 60. These were not the “doormats” but smallish fish from 12 to 15 inches; still nice to see.

Some Pompano were caught this month, and also some small Gag Grouper. Gag Grouper season remains closed to recreational anglers, however.

BlackTip Sharks have been around all month, providing a powerful fight for some anglers. BonnetHead Sharks were seen swimming around most nights, and many small ones were caught and released here in December. Many of the smaller ones were youngsters, as this area seems to be a nursery for baby sharks.

Capt'n Tom

For best fishing success, try to get out before the cold fronts pass. Fish seem to feed heavily in advance of the fronts. Once the fronts pass, waves, wind, and cold air combine to make the fishing poor, or at least uncomfortable for the fishermen.

Good Luck Fishing!

Capt'n Tom

We saw some fine fishing on Pier 60 in November. With air temperatures in the high to mid-70′s and water temperatures hovering around 70 degrees, fishing action was non-stop most days here.

We saw lots of nice Spanish Mackerel during the mornings. Macks were hitting the usual- live shrimp, small minnows, and lures such as spoons or flashy plugs.

We also saw a fair number of Redfish, some in the keeper slot of 18-27 inches, and some bruisers more than three feet long released here.

Pompano were taken on many mornings, with some nice fish of 12-15 inches caught on live shrimp and Pompano lures like the Goofy Jig.

Flounder have made a great showing this month. Keeper flatties from 12 inches up to about 20 inches were commonplace, with some anglers landing 3 or more in a session.

Gag Grouper were caught in November on Pier 60. Although the season to keep Gags was only open the first half of the month, a couple of keepers were taken. Numerous smaller fish were caught and released. One young angler was able to fight and release a 20-incher on his light spinning outfit, and that is a lot of pulling on a light rod and young 10 year-old arms!

Ten year old William catches a Bonnet Head Shark while visiting Pier 60 from Wisconsin.

The Spotted Sea Trout closure for November and December continues. There are a lot of Trout around the pier at night, with some fish seen that easily went longer than 24 inches. You can still fish for Spotted Sea Trout, but they must be released. They tend to swallow a J-hook, and don’t do well unless they are handled delicately. My advice is to use circle hooks, and unhook them at the rail without touching the fish. Use pliers. You don’t want the Spotted Sea Trout to flop around on the concrete and lose their slime coat. It will probably kill the fish needlessly.

Sand Sea Trout have made a good showing here in recent weeks. Looking like its cousin minus the spots, there is no size or bag limit.

Silver Trout appear in schools around the pier after dark, and can be taken on squid, shrimp, or lures. These fish have been running 10-12 inches. Along with them we have seen lots of Silver Perch. Small, shiny silver, and tasty, they are known to crackers as Butterfish. Try some, and you’ll find out why.

The Whiting have been biting fairly well. When we have seen them, they have been larger than the summer fish, and many have the tan and brown coloration seen this time of year.

There have been a lot of Sharks in the waters surrounding Pier 60 this month. Bull Sharks, BlackTip Sharks, and Bonnethead Sharks were the most commonly seen.

Weather patterns in December vary local conditions widely. As cold fronts press into the area, winds blow towards the advancing front. Fishing can be great as the fish know what comes next. The front arrives with a change of wind, strong squall lines, and tremendous white-caps clear to the horizon. Temperatures plummet, and the fishing becomes poor, except for Saltwater Catfish. After the front passes, things warm up, and the fishing gets better in a couple of days.

Pier 60 will be closed on Christmas Day. Happy Holidays and Good Luck Fishing!

Capt'n Tom

October is always one of the nicest months of the year here. The severe heat from the summer has dissipated, and fall migrations are in full swing. Water temperatures have fluctuated from the high-70′s down to the low 70′s, and even dipped into the 60′s for a brief while. With the passage of cold fronts, the water gets churned and sandy, then slowly clears as the winds subside and sunny weather warms the water up.

We saw a great variety of species in October.

Spanish Mackerel continue to be caught in the mornings, with the bite returning later in the day. The Mackerel have been biting on live shrimp under a float, cut baits, lures, and even Sabiki rigs. The Autumn Mackerel are some of the largest of the year, with many good fish above 20 inches. Mackerel are a great-eating fish, but you must take care to insure the best taste. Ice your Mackerel down right away, and cut the dark red meat away when filleting. Another way to enjoy Mackerel is to smoke them. Their oily flesh lends itself nicely for the smoker, and preserves them as well.

Lots of Pompano have been around, with fishermen getting some beautiful fish in the 15-20 inch range. Pompanos love shrimp, but can also be caught on a variety of lures we stock in the tackle store. Yellow jigs and goofy jigs target the Pompano, and both work well with a little practice and luck.

Tarpon were still around in October, and a few nice fish over 50 pounds were jumped, fought, and released. Early morning and late evening were the times the fish were hooked here. Once water temperatures get down into the 60′s, the Tarpon will leave this area for warmer winter abodes.

Nice Trout Catch

Spotted Sea Trout fishing was very steady this month. Sometimes we may see a few Trout in the morning, but the vast majority of them are caught at night under the lights. Live shrimp is one of the best baits to use for Spotted Sea Trout. You can also use small minnows caught on a Sabiki rig to trout-fish, but it is frustrating to lose live baits to a hoarde of ravaging Pinfish. Grub-tail lures work well, as do the MirroLure swimming minnows. Top-water plugs can also be effective, with the added bonus of watching the fish strike and slash the lure. We carry some of the best patterns in the tackle store. Spotted Sea Trout season will be closed for the months of November and December here in this region of Florida. Catch-and release fishing is permitted.

Sand Sea Trout and Silver Trout have no closed season, and have been seen with more and more regularity as the seasons progress. Both can be taken on cut baits, shrimp, and lures. Best fishing for these is in the evenings.

Whiting have been more common catches in the evenings as the waters cool. Whiting can be taken on cut squid and cut shrimp. Multiple-hook rigs are a common practice here, and produce well once the fish are located. With no size or bag limit, Whiting provide a small but tasty fillet.

Silver Perch are showing up in the evenings more and more, and will also take a variety of baits.

October was a great time to catch a nice Flounder here on Pier 60. We saw some nice flatties in the 20-inch range taken on live minnows and live shrimp. Flounder are also likely to bite a grub-tail lure bounced around on the bottom.

Emma of North Carolina with a Redfish

Redfish have been feeding around the pier in big schools that “mud” the water up in a clearly-defined area. Casting ahead of the fish may result in a hook-up with a “Bull” Redfish in excess of 25 pounds. The Redfish is a fighter of great renown, with a head-shaking pull that tests both gear and fishermen. Baits include shrimp, cut baits and lures. Redfish are also known to have a liking to a gold spoon fluttering within striking distance. Although the big Reds must be released, they are a worthy opponent. Red Drum must be in the “slot” of between 18 to 27 inches, and some pretty keeper Redish were caught this month.

Grouper season was opened to recreational anglers from October 16 to November 15. We saw a few Gag Grouper caught here, but all were under the 22″ minimum size limit.

Sheepshead have been feeding around the pilings, and can be caught by chumming then using a small but strong hook weighted with a split-shot. Crabs are favorite bait, but shrimp also works well, and is more available.

A few Bluefish are making an appearance, and will be more common here in the weeks ahead. The Blues feed with abandon, targeting the schools of small minnows around the pier. Anything getting in their way is apt to get bitten. Lures and cut baits work well for them.

Lots and lots of small Sharks have been seen around Pier 60 this month. BlackTip Shark, and BonnetHead Shark are the most common, but we see other species here as well. Pier 60 has a policy of No Shark Fishing, but by-catch and release is okay.

November brings more cold fronts with the accompanying rains, wind and high surf. As the fronts clear through the area, winds and seas moderate and good fishing returns. Keep an eye on current conditions by clicking on the link to the NOAA weather station out on Pier 60. Be flexible with bait and lure selection, and you may find a new way to catch fish.

Good Luck Fishing!

Make A Difference Fishing Tournaments host 2 annual tournaments at Pier 60 for “special anglers.” The first Saturday in October is the date for “special anglers” under 18 years old and November for 18 years and older.

The 2011 adult tournament was held November 5th starting at 8am.

Event Photos:

Enjoy Photos from Fall 2011 on Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60.