Big haul of trout on Dunedin Causeway

Anclote Bait and Tackle, 727-945-1808: Mike says the beach at Caladesi Island has been giving up mackerel to 20 inches. Fish have been taking cut greenbacks under floats. Clarks spoons in gold and silver have been working, as well. The fish are in and out throughout the day. The west side of Honeymoon Island has been producing some snook to 30 inches. Fish have been caught around the bathhouses on the beach, with 5-inch Exude jerk baits working well. It's catch-and-release only. Hurricane Pass has been a good spot for trout. Fish 18 to 24 inches were taken over the last week, with D.O.A. Cal jigs and Exude jigs taking fish early and late in the day.

Salonika Bait and Tackle, 727-849-6377: Danny says the best report he got was from his son, who was fishing from the Dunedin Causeway between the bridges. He landed some 45 trout on live shrimp rigged on a hook and split shot. Most of the fish were in the 20-inch class. Westport subdivision has been giving up some nice redfish, and mackerel remain inside the Cotee River up to about the U.S. 19 bridge. Some black drum and mangrove snapper have been taken around the bridge. Cobia continue to offer good action on the shallow grass flats up and down the coast. Offshore, the kingfish action has tapered off some. Grouper have moved a little deeper, with the best action in 60 feet of water.

Dunedin Fishing Center, 727-738-5628: Pat says anglers fishing north of the Dunedin Causeway along the Intracoastal Waterway spoil islands have been scoring good numbers of trout 18 to 20 inches. Live shrimp and sardines under popping corks have been tops. Hurricane Pass has been giving up mackerel to 17 inches. Cut greenbacks, silver and gold spoons, along with Gotcha Plugs have been working.

Dunedin Bait and Tackle, 727-736-3474: Clark reports anglers fishing the back side of Caladesi Island have been finding reds schooling and tailing. Fish have been in the slot range, for the most, taking live shrimp and cut mullet on the bottom. The south side of the Dunedin Causeway has been turning up some nice trout. Fish to 26 inches have been reported. Live shrimp and pinfish, either free-lined or under corks, have been working. The southeast corner of Honeymoon Island has been producing some pompano. Fish 13 to 15 inches have been typical, but an angler reported taking a 21-inch fish. Doc's Goofy Jigs in yellow and white and tipped with frozen shrimp have been best.

Clearwater Bait and Tackle, 727-669-5455: Don reports that a few tarpon have been landed at the small bridge on the west end of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Fish to about 4-feet-long have been taken late in the day or night, using live crabs and shrimp. Black drum to 50 pounds were caught at the bridge at night, with shrimp and small crawfish good baits. Moving east on the Causeway, anglers reported taking reds to 24 inches between the bridges. Live shrimp, sardines and crabs were working well.

Pier 60, 727-462-6466: Kelly reports an angler landed a keeper cobia that took a live shrimp under a float. There have been a few cobia showing up at the pier. Spanish mackerel have been around in fair numbers at times. Fish have been running 12 to 15 inches, taking shrimp and live sardines. Around fist light and sunset have been the best times.

The Long Pier, 727-391-9398: Beach Bob says the tarpon have been around, with the anglers fishing the end of the pier landing fish up to 168 pounds. Live pumpkin seeds set out on outriggers have been working best. A number of reds have been landed, with most around 24 inches. A few oversized fish have been caught. Live shrimp and sardines have been tops. A 24-pound tripletail was landed on a jumbo live shrimp. While smaller fish are caught from time to time, the catch was unusually large.