As the weather warms up, anglers in Pasco County are expecting an increase in inshore fishing activity. According to Captain Matt Cowden, the cold water over the past week had sheepshead and black drum fired up in Pasco’s inshore waters. Both species are resilient and feed well even in winter conditions. Live shrimp around bars, docks, and rocks takes both.
Captain Josh Fritz reports that a little bit of warming last week helped the inshore bite, and more warm days ahead may fire things up more. While cool water over the last week kept trout and reds out of the open Gulf, they have inched out to the creek mouths. The reds from Hudson north have been schooling, and live pinfish have been taking fish 16 to 25 inches.
Some successful fishing spots include oyster bars and deeper holes, with trout must be 15 to 19 inches to keep in Pasco waters, with a five-fish limit per day. Of the five, anglers are permitted one oversize trout per day. Captain Bill Rutherford has been finding schools of hungry fish that jump on live shrimp or cut bait. Gold spoons worked slowly also work.
For those interested in booking a fishing charter, Captain Matt Cowden can be reached at 727-534-6603, and Captain Josh Fritz can be reached at 352-345-9304.
Originally reported by Suncoast News – Hudson
Sources: Suncoast News – Hudson
