Fishing Reports for Tampa Bay, February fishing forecast Clearwater Dunedin

February 2011

As we move into February, the water temperatures have been colder than normal in the Clearwater fishing and Dunedin fishing areas. We have been consistently below 60 degrees. Cold fronts are ok, but the fish like a warm up to get in their winter mood.

Start drifting for trout over the numerous grass flats that dot Clearwater Bay and St. Joseph Sound waters. Stay in about two to four feet of water. The fish will move up on these flats to catch some sunshine and hopefully a meal at the same time. Give each grass area a little time and if nothings biting, move on. Search around the spoil islands throughout the bay. During the winter months the trout seem to congregate near these islands to stay warm and feed. Not all of these islands will hold fish, so check as many as you can till you locate the trout.

Most of the time on my winter fishing charters, casting with artificials is the best way to locate the fish. I will be using a 1/8 or 1/16 oz. jig head with a dark colored plastic tail. Mister Twister has a few root beer colored plastics I use a lot. Remember to bounce it along the bottom and move it real slow. The winter trout are not very active and don’t want to move far for their food. Bring some live shrimp so you can switch over once the fish are found. Fishing the shrimp on a float set up near the bottom will catch some big trout.

Looking for redfish may be a time consuming affair. The fish will be scattered around the back waters and mangroves if you care to search. Last February I found a school of about 50 to 75 redfish and they hung out in the same area for two months.

We caught quite a few slot size fish free lining live shrimp. Once you locate a school of redfish, use a stealth approach because they will be very skittish.

Dodging the cold fronts and getting out fishing in February, can be very productive. It may take a little more searching than normal, but it will pay off when you find the fish.

Again this year, I’m running the special $50 off on winter fishing charter trips. Call and reserve.

Capt. Gary Burch
www.allcatchcharters.com
727 458-6335