Advertisement

Captain's Corner: Good time to target snook, tarpon

 
Published June 3, 2015

East wind patterns through the mornings this week have allowed many anglers to focus on the beach regions in north Pinellas. The light surf makes it much easier to find troughs and points where snook gather. Large females have been cruising the edges, just a few feet from beach walkers. Smaller male snook are usually close behind. Although snook are easier to spot with these conditions, they are not always willing to eat. The tides play a major role for when they will attack a bait. The recent strong high tides have had less action with beach fish. Try to focus on the middle of the incoming or beginning of the outgoing tides. Downsizing tackle on clear days will also increase hookups. Tarpon have shown up along the north coast. Calm conditions have led to several shots at pods migrating northward in the morning. Anchor where tarpon have been spotted. Watch for fish to roll while slowly milling along. Present a crab, greenback or threadfin herring 4-6 feet under a cork, leading the fish a few yards. Using a trolling motor or drifting into their swim lane is also a great way to get a closer shot at these powerful trophy fish.

Brian Caudill fishes from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs. He can be reached at (727) 365-7560 and captbrian.com.