Snook are stacking up on the North Pinellas beaches. With water temperatures consistently in the low 80s, snook are eating with regularity. Several swashes from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs are holding a number of the smaller males, but the larger females are occupying structures such as jetties or rock piles. Greenbacks are still plentiful when chummed up on the flats, although grunts and pinfish are getting attacked more often by the bigger fish. I like to hook those bigger baits near the tail, causing them to swim down and away from the boat. They cover more area and are likely to swim right into the strike zone. The trout bite has been spectacular. Many of the same regions productive for snook will hold larger female trout. On a recent trip with kids for a summer fish camp, we caught several trout by slowly drifting the grass flats in 3-6 feet of water, especially near the passes.
Brian Caudill fishes from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs. He can be reached at (727) 365-7560 and captbrian.com.