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Silver Trout Are Biting Well

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 22, 2009

GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Bill Miller.

Silver trout, lesser-known cousin to the speckled trout, have been biting well and providing a lot of action for anglers along the Gulf beaches. Rocky bottom in 10 to 15 feet of water off the Don CeSar Beach Resort and north of the Dubai Pier are popular areas.

Other lesser-known areas, such as the channel edges going into Port Manatee, the Gandy power-plant channel, the Alafia River (just out from the Williams Park boat ramp) and the Hillsborough River (just out from the Davis Islands boat ramp) all hold a lot of silver trout.

The silver trout schools can be found with a depth recorder. Look for them marking from the bottom up.

A pink or silver Love's Lure or the new MirrOlure soft plastic, in silver or watermelon, bounced slowly along the bottom will usually get fast action. To increase your hits, add a small piece of fresh-cut shrimp to the hook.

Silver trout, also called white trout, sand trout and sugar trout, are excellent table fare if eaten fresh. The meat has a soft texture and does not freeze well. The average size is 10 to 14 inches. There is no size or bag limit, so it is recommended to take only what you might need for a dinner or two.

Speckled trout are also biting well over the deep grass off Pinellas Point, Weedon Island and north of the Dunedin Bridge to Anclote Key.

Captain Bill Miller hosts "Hooked on Fishing" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. on Bright House Sports Network, Channel 47.

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