Tarpon Spring’s fishing guide Capt. Rich Knox’s fishing report exclaims excellent big (Gator) Spotted Sea Trout, in good numbers on many shallow flats fishing area flats from Clearwater Fl. to New Port Richey Fl. on most likely the entire Florida Gulf Coast. Absolute Florida Flats Fishing Captains ran several fishing charters this week all producing limit catch’s of Trout from 2 lb. to 6 lb. all on light tackle spinning gear spooled with 8-10 lb. Berkley braid, and a short piece of (Vanish) Fluorocarbon leader of 3-4 feet. The fish are feeding in different locations depending on the height and speed of the tide, both incoming and outgoing, live pilchard’s are difficult to find since the hard cold front of 2 week’s ago, lowering the water temperature to 60*F, now we are experiencing a warmer trend, water is in the mid to upper 60’s. Both live bait( select shrimp, pinfish, pilchards) and artificial are working, 1/4 oz. jig’s, jerk-bait’s, top-water plug’s and spoon’s in a variety of colors. The fish can be holding on the edge of these inshore fishing flats from 6 feet deep to as shallow as 1 foot of water, sand and grass mixture bottom areas are prime inshore flats fishing targets, Our fishing guides are working from the outside Barrier Islands to the main shoreline bayou’s, rivers, and creek’s.
