Nearshore Bite Overview (Belleair Bluffs / Pinellas County) ? Current Fishing Conditions Nearshore spots are producing, especially around natural hard bottom and reef structure a few miles off the beach — hogfish and grouper bites have been consistent lately. Recent reports from area captains indicate quality nearshore action with keeper fish coming to the boat. Water temps in the area are starting to warm up as spring approaches, which usually improves activity on keeper grouper and reef species. Traditional nearshore patterns (structure edges, reef patches, deeper grass lines) are being fished by charter captains with success. ? Likely Species Being Caught Nearshore Based on recent local reports and Gulf catch trends in the Pinellas Bay / nearshore Gulf: Hogfish – good numbers coming from reef structure. Grouper (keepers) – some keepers and releases reported on bottom rigs near ledges. Mangrove snapper & grunts – classic nearshore reef staples; productive on shrimp and cut bait. Redfish, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead & trout have been noted in the general bay area and nearshore by guides, with Spanish mackerel showing up seasonally. Tarpon can also be encountered in nearshore runs during the late spring run. ? 2. Best Bite Times & Tide Info for Nearshore Trips Major bite windows: late morning to early afternoon and again late night. Minor bite windows: early morning (around sunrise) and late afternoon. These solunar times combined with tide transitions generally provide the best nearshore bites.

Always cool to catch these guys..

The weather has cooled the water temps and the fish are slowly making their way closer to shore. Make sure you have plenty of shrimp with you for these trips near shore. We use plenty of frozen threadfin chuncks for the bigger Mangrove snapper. Red Grouper share the same habitat as the Mangrove Snapper and Hog Fish so you never know what may be coming over the rails. Be prepared for the occasional Cobia to crash the party. Be ready with a fresh live bait to get these fish fired up.

As the weather finally cools down, the nearshore bite will heat up! The Spanish and King Mackerel are showing up in good numbers on the nearshore reefs and wrecks. Make sure to look for the birds diving on the bait pods. The Mackerel will be close. The Red grouper bite has been consistent and we get a few keepers mixed in with plenty of shorts. Hog Fish will be a strong possibility this month, make sure to bring plenty of live shrimp. We have seen good numbers of Triggerfish come over the side with a few keepers. Make sure to book soon as these trips are popular and fill up fast.

We are catching a mixed bag of fish on the 4 and 5 hour trips. The Mangrove Snapper have been showing up in good numbers in 35 feet if water. There have been a few keeper Hog Fish mixed in with the Snapper. Our Gag grouper season was short and we were able to get a few keepers,but most were short of the slot limit. There were a few keeper Red Grouper that were caught in the same area as the Mangrove Snapper and Hog Fish. The Cobia were happy to make an appearance but were just short but put up a great fight for our customers and made lasting memories. The Bonita and Spanish Mackerel are showing up on the reefs and just off the beaches. Make sure to have plenty of live bait and you should have success with these fish.

We are definitely up and running after the storms! The Gag and Red Grouper bite has been on fire in December. The nearshore reefs in 35 foot of water are holding good numbers just in time for the Red Grouper season opens on Jan. 1st. There are good numbers of grunt for a table full of fresh fish for the family. We have seen some Grey Triggerfish come over the rails. Hog fish are always a nice treat when they show up. Make sure to have plenty of live or fresh frozen shrimp to bump the odds in your favor. If you have some frozen threadfin for chunk bait or chum, who knows what may show up. We have had good luck on our 4 hour trips with different species of fish. If you want to get out, bring a jacket and warm clothes for the early morning trips and you will be fine. Make sure to book soon as these trips go fast.