If you can get where you’ll be casting to/near any channels you’ve got chances of sea trout, spanishmackeral, whiting, maybe sheepshead, pompano, even snook and drum. Sharks are all over, but never thrilled me.
Check with a bait shop for advice too. What you catch depends on bait or lures you use too, not only where.
Hello, I don’t live local but figured I’d say hi and offer whatever I could. Actually I kinda wish I did live around there, or nearby, even if only part time.
It is a gorgeous location (when not in/after a storm$ and fishing can be great.
I live up in VA, just above the NC border now. I haven’t fished in FL for few years now but keep hoping I’ll get down more often now that retired.
I’ll check with my brother, lives up near Sarasota, and get back in a bit.
Sometimes you can’t get people to get back to you on here. It is a shame but many either tight/lipped or maybe just not into a particular area.
Crappie, perch, largemouth, stripers, and catfish for sure.
It kinda depends on when. Water is warming up, so possible catch different fish right now; perch, sea trout, croaker, catfish, and others.
Check with dome tackle shop on way there for suggestions, but live minnows ought keep you busy, so will pieces of cut bait. Even casting small plugs and jigs should get some action.
When you say “runnin”, guess you mean moving upstream for spawning. It is that time, so many be way up in upper end or back up in creeks. People are targeting them up below dam at Kerr.
Crappie be up in coves and upper sections of creeks, about ready get up in the bushes/grass to spawn (if water would warm up just a bit more). They’re probably spread out in 6-15 feet of water, gettin ready.
You can also catch stripers while casting plugs or jigging spoons like Hopkins or Kroccodiles. I’m not into trolling, like peace and quiet. If you get out when traffic is light, you can find bass feeding in shallows or deep in the channels.
Crappie are totally different, and need target them separately. Best for them is super light line and tiny jigs, sometimes tipped with minnows. Early in year before spawning they roam around more and usually suspended 6-10 feet down in water 20-30 feet deep. They’ll be in the bushes along shore spawning real soon, then back to brush in deeper water.
People are rude, that is for sure, and a lot of the refs and politics don’t make much sense or do either us or fish any good.
That’s some gorgeous snapper there.
I wish I could connect with you or some other good fisherman if/when I get down again
You’ll do much better learning from
Local tackle shops and local fishermen, then on this site. I’ve tried on this site, on/off for couple years and have learned that not many topics or posts are followed or continue.
St. Pete and all of FL coast has some really good fishing. You’ll find out for sure. A trip or two with a guide will definitely have you learn a lot and enable you to catch more on your own, if you can is worth it.
I have only been fishing in few spots in FL when down visiting a friend or brother, and closer to St Pete was down by Sarasota. It is great once you learn the timing of the different fish.
I think a little early for blues, but believe things are getting better for puffers, puppy’s, reds coming up the coast, even trout starting come outta the creeks (but this chill right now gonna set everything back a little).
NC guys aren’t gonna tell you much except “come pay me and I’ll show ya”
I’m former Jersey guy in VA now but kinda too far inland. I’m not sure why moved in so far from the salt. I miss it; now only filling the freezer with catfish, crappie, and landlocked stripers.
Fantastic; had to be great day for you both
I don’t know. It seems always too busy now and more work to do than I can handle or get done.
I think I fished more before retirement.
I’m doing something(s) wrong
Chicken wings for catfish, or your lunch?
I know cats will eat just about anything when hungry, even with bones, but odd shape of that wing with it’s bones might be hard to swallow
Well, looks about end of August. What ya catchin?
How’s crabbing? Catching many?
I’m wondering how far inland it’s worth trying get a dozen or two. I’m near Kerr Lake, so long drive all the way to the sound makes that little difficult but maybe the only way.