Captains in Pasco County report excellent fishing conditions for redfish, snook, and trout during this warm weather period. Capt. Josh Fritz notes that incoming tides with fresh cut mullet or live pinfish are producing good redfish catches on hard-bottom points and bars. Trout can be found on shallow grass flats using jigs with soft plastic tails or live shrimp in 5 to 7 feet of water. Offshore, mangrove snapper bites have been outstanding when anglers use chumming techniques around rocks in 30 feet of water. Capt. Matt Cowden adds that snook are moving from coastal beaches into mangroves and backwaters where fishing close to growth is most effective. Redfish are also biting well with fresh cut bait, while scalloping has been solid along the northern part of the county where visibility is clear. Capt. Cody Albright reports schools of 15 to 30 redfish regularly, along with juvenile tarpon staging in rivers and residential canals. Snook spawning fish have moved into river mouths around Cotee and Anclote as well as deep creeks. The Rusty Bucket describes the redfish bite as amazing with fish bunching on flats and inside creeks, while snook remain somewhat finicky but bite very well when they turn on. Tarpon numbers have decreased but larger fish are still found on deep flats off the coast and around islands, with smaller ones in residential canals. Armed Anglers note that hot weather has reduced angler numbers and slowed action, though plenty of undersized trout remain on grass flats out of the Anclote River. Spanish mackerel reports are decent on deep flats and around Anclote Key, while sharks are abundant near the power plant mouth at night. Mangrove snapper beyond 30 feet have been good, with some keeper red grouper found deep starting at 70 to 80 feet. Scalloping has been mixed but Griff advises moving around to find areas where many boats are flying dive flags as an indicator of good spots.
Pasco County Anglers Report Strong Redfish and Snook Bites This Week
