Trolling for Snook!

Trolling for kingfish? Sure! Trolling for grouper? Why not. But… trolling for snook? This was a new experience for me. On Saturday, I met my friend David and we headed down to Bellaire Beach for a little surf fishing. It was a beautiful day, but the fish weren’t cooperating.

Bellaire Beach Fishing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later that afternoon, we headed to the Seminole boat ramp in Clearwater, and met up with Captain Mike Homer, a Clearwater Inshore Fishing Guide. We headed out to a local creek that emptied into the bay, tied on some YoZuri crystal minnows, and began slow trolling the deeper channel, as well as the dock pilings. Conditions seemed perfect, and we did get a couple of strong hits, but no hookups. I’m convinced that the snook were there; they just weren’t biting. Well, that’s fishing.

We eventually switched gears, and began casting gold spoons. David soon hooked up to a nice redfish that was hanging out over the oyster bars. We hit a small spoils island, and I jumped a fiesty little snook. David was next up with another snook. We continued to see signs of activity around the island, and had a few more strikes, but no more fish. After a couple hours, we were headed back to the marina. Lots of fun, and definately something I’d like to try again.

On Sunday, the sun was shining, and Merry Pier was calling. The grouper were stacked up, and hungry. I caught a couple dozen, up to 18″, on live shrimp and small pinfish. Most were hanging around the pilings, rather than on the rockpiles. I hooked and lost a big snook, and landed a 17″ sheepshead, which was released unharmed.

Tampa Bay Sheepshead Fishing

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