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Reds, Cobia Biting Off Pasco Coast

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NICK STUBBS, MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

Published: June 3, 2008

Tackle shop roundup

Salonika's, 727-849-6377: The Salt Springs area has been a good place to look for reds. Fish have been on the oyster bars and around mangroves, with most keepers 18 to 24 inches. Lots of undersized fish have been around. Cobia have been cruising the flats, the larger fish reported taken at Green Key just off the beach.

Clearwater Bait, 727-669-5455: Anglers are finding snook to oversized fishing the area west of the Bayside Bridge with live shrimp and sardines. Early morning and late in the day have been best, and topwater plugs have scored a few fish. All are being released, because of the closed season. The flats off the northwestern end of the Courtney Campbell Causeway have been producing trout from 12 to 22 inches. Live shrimp sardines and jigs are working well. The small bridge on the western end of the causeway is holding bonnet head and blacktip sharks to 40 inches. Most have been taken on cut bait, like jacks, or shrimp.

Denny B's, 813-885-9811: The channel leading to the old Higgins power plant site at Oldsmar has been holding some black drum to 45 pounds. Anglers have been taking most of their fish on shrimp.

Don's Dock, 727-391-3223: The Betty Rose wreck in southern Pinellas County has been producing some cobia to 40 inches. Live pinfish and sardines, particularly when fish along with a chum bag in the water to get the bite going. Mackerel 16 to 24 inches also were taken at the wreck, along with a goliath grouper estimated at 150 pounds, which broke the line. Snook have been running from undersized to oversized along the beaches at Honeymoon and Caladesi islands, at Dunedin. Live shrimp, pinfish and topwater plugs have been taking fish early in the mornings. All fish are being released, as they are out of season. A few cobia have been caught between Tarpon Springs and the Dunedin Causeway, with fish tailing behind schools of rays. Most have been undersized, but a few keeper fish were reported.

One Stop Bait, 727-842-5610: The pier at the Anclote power plant, in the Holiday area, has been a good snapper spot, with fish 12 to 15 inches taking shrimp well. A few anglers reported taking limits of fish.

Pier 60, 727-462-6466: An angler jumped a tarpon estimated at 60 pounds fishing a live pass crab. The fish was brought to the base of the pier and photographed before being released. Lots of mackerel 12 to 18 inches are being caught. Live shrimp and greenbacks have been taken on spoons and Gotcha Plugs. Snook anglers are finding fish to 40 inches fishing live ladyfish and shrimp at night. All are being released, because of the closed season. Trout fishing has been solid, with some oversized fish reported. Live shrimp under a float has been best.

Redington Pier, 727-391-9398: Pompano fishing has been good, with fish to 14 inches taking yellow Silly Willy and Doc's Goofy jigs tipped with shrimp. Trout fishing have been good, and some oversized fish have been landed.

Nick Stubbs is founder and webmaster of Bitetracker.com, a fishing Web site specializing in daily fishing reports displayed on animated fish tracking charts.

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