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.