Pier 60 Fishing Report

Capt'n Tom

Great fishing continued though the month of November at Pier 60. Morning anglers consistently started off with Spanish Mackerel, hitting lures, live baits, and cut bait. On some days the larger fish are caught early, and fished deeper. King Mackerel are also making an appearance, with a few nice fish taken, and many other larger Kings lost.

Dave's flounder

Flounder action has been the best in years. The Flounder have been biting on live fish, live shrimp, and cut bait. Every day we have seen plenty of keepers, and a few fish over 18”.

Cobia are about, and a few fish have been landed, but still undersize. The larger fish have all gotten off, many at the first sight of the pier net. Tarpon were still here in the early part of the month, and we had a few jumps, but no fisherman was able to get more than that first dramatic leap from the Silver King.

Ian with 21 inch grouper caught and released 12/13/09

There have been a variety of other fish caught throughout the month of November. Gag Grouper along with a few Red Grouper were caught and released. A few Mangrove Snapper were brought up, but the larger, legal-sized fish have not shown up yet.

John's Snook

Snook fishing was excellent on Pier 60 in November. Fish moving off the beaches to the passes hang around the Pier at night, and have been hitting live fish free-lined under the lights. On a recent night, a school of BallyHoo took refuge under the lights, and dozens of Snook were lined up, taking pot-shots at them. Long soft plastics worked wonders when fished to mimic the BallyHoo. One fisherman caught two Snook on live baits, and three on artificials. That’s the end of the Snook season here, as Snook are protected during December, January, and February. As the cold fronts have finally started to arrive in earnest, the Snook will all move away from Pier 60, and enter the pass, looking for the warmer backwaters, as weather dictates.

Spotted Sea Trout season is still closed in November and December, but the fish are here, arriving to feed at night under the lights. On a recent night I saw hundreds of nice fish, with a few great big Gator Trout, milling about under the swarms of small baitfish surrounding the pier. It is best to use a circle hook to reduce mortality if you go after Trout this month, as they tend to swallow a J-hook.

Silver Trout and Whiting have arrived with the cooler weather, and are biting a variety of cut baits. The Silvers tend to school in deeper water, while the Whiting tend to the sandy shallower areas. Look for more of these two as temperatures trend lower.

A few nice Redfish and Black Drum have been hooked, fought, and released. This battling duo often swims together here, and powerful fighters they are. These fish are large, going over 40”, and have the muscle to test gear and stamina of experienced fishermen.

Dustin from Michigan with Sheepshead caught on Pier 60

Sheepshead are starting to show up, with a few fish taken off the pilings using small crabs and shrimp. As the water cools, more of these convicts will gather around the pilings to feed. A small hook and small baits will help catch these tasty Sheepies.

Dozens of small sharks can be seen some nights, roaming about, feeding on fish trimmings. These include Bonnethead Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Lemon Sharks. Some are caught, but we have an all-release shark policy here.

Cold fronts pushing though this month will bring both storms and opportunity for targeting Bluefish, Jacks, and Kingfish. Even Bonita, usually found further offshore, have been seen around the end of the pier. Sheepshead fishing should get better, as those larger fish congregate to feed around structure.

Fishing will vary widely this month, but there will be plenty of opportunities to get some action between cold fronts, as the fish feed heavily before bad weather arrives, and even during the associated rains and storms.

Good Luck Fishing!

In October and November 2009, visitors are enjoying great success on Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60 on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Proud fishing visitors show off Flounder, Snook, Kingfish and Redfish catches.

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Capt'n Tom Fishing Report

Fishing on Pier 60 in September was full of fun! The weather in September is some of the hottest of the year, and this September it was sweltering in the middle of the day. We didn’t experience any tropical storms, and there were no torrential rains to break the heat wave. There were some late afternoon and evening showers, but little to mar or interfere with fishing on the Pier.
Snook season started off a little slow, with the fish parading about under the lights at night, but taking little notice of the baits offered. Then, usually late at night, the fish began to feed and get hooked. There have been many Snook keepers this season, slot-sized fish from 28 to 33 inches more common than oversize fish. In seasons past we have seen more oversize fish caught and released, but this year there have been plenty of fish taken home. Snook are still biting at night or in the early morning, usually on a greenback minnow or live medium-sized Ladyfish freelined just next to the Pier. Regulars have been very successful with this year’s Snook fishing.

Bill from Plymouth, Devon, UK, displays Spanish Mackerel

Mackerel continue to feed first thing in the morning, taking a variety of lures or live natural baits. The Got-Cha lures have been very good for getting the toothy speedsters to bite. The best baits of all are still the little minnows brought up on a Sabiki lure, then presented under a float for the Spanish Mackerel. The largest fish usually show up early, but continue to feed throughout the day. Average size of the Mackerel has been about 15 inches, but plenty of fish over 20 inches have been taken as well.

A few big King Mackerel have been hooked and seen, usually taking half of a Spanish Mackerel as it is being reeled in. When the Kings have been hooked, it has been one-sided, with a screaming drag and broken line the usual outcome.

Tarpon are still in the area, and the “Silver King” has been a daily visitor at Pier 60. Most every day we get reports of Tarpon hooking up and jumping off here, and most of the bites involve 60 to 80 pound fish. A few Tarpon have been hooked and fought that would go well over 100 pounds, and there have been hooks straightened by fish that would weigh closer to 150 pounds. On a recent night, a big pod of large Tarpon chased a school of large Greenbacks under the pier, then proceeded to chase and gulp down most all of them, and also providing a thrilling but one-sided battle to fishermen just not equipped with heavy enough gear to turn the brutes.

Ryan with caught and released 24 lb. 38.5 inch Redfish.

Some big Redfish have been showing up recently, with fish of 38 to 40 inches caught and released. These fish are strong and fight all the way, giving a great battle to those prepared for it. Redfish will strain your gear and muscles to the limit, and will exploit any weakness to their advantage. Big smiles and shaking limbs from the battle are a sure sign that the Reds are here!

We have seen many Cobia this month, but all have been just shy of the 33-inch minimum. Still, they have provided lots of entertainment and activity during the heat of the day. The bigger keepers have just eluded the anglers, taking advantage of underwater obstacles to wrap around and break off.

Tony from Orlando and Flounder

Flounder have been a welcome and frequent catch this month, with flatties well over the legal minimum of 12 inches common. One big “Doormat” measured out at 20 inches. That’s a fish worth keeping!

We have seen a few Pompano this month, and also a few Bluefish. Undersize Groupers, both Gag and Red Grouper are not uncommon. A few Spadefish, and a few Sheepshead have also been landed.

Plenty of Jack Crevalle have been schooling about the Pier, and have provided lots of strong fight and shredded lines for excited fishermen.
Spotted Sea Trout have been schooling under the lights at night. They seem to be very particular on the bite, though. Most of the fish are keepers, over 15 inches, but the really big ones are waiting for the weather to cool a little bit. We should start to see “Gator” Trout to show up after the first real cold front moves through the area this month.
All in all, it has been great fishing on Pier 60, and it looks to be just as good in the weeks ahead. Remember, fishing hours have changed. As of October 1st, the Pier is open Sunday through Thursday 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Fridays and Saturdays we are still open all night for fishing.

Good Luck Fishing!

September 2009 brought great fishing. Catches includeresulted these fine photos of visitors with Snook, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, and Snappers.

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