Tarpon Springs, Pasco County, FL
Clear
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70°F
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Feels 70°
Naples Premier Offshore Fishing Charter
Bite slowing — high pressure building. Slow down, go finesse, fish deeper structure.
80-150lb mono leader with crimps
Tarpon require heavy, abrasion-resistant leaders; their mouths are tough and bony
Walk-the-dog topwater plug (Spook, MirrOlure)
River current makes topwater visual and attractive; excellent for snook and seatrout
Soft plastic swimbaits on jig heads, 3-5 inches
Natural presentation for river-dwelling snook, tarpon, and permit
Lighter 10-20lb fluorocarbon for finesse presentations
Rivers often have clear water — lighter leader = more takes
Local Fishing Resource
Hudson Beach, Anclote River, and the transition zone
Open the Pasco County Cheat Sheet
Centropomus undecimalis
Prized sport fish found around mangroves and inlets. Sensitive to cold temperatures.
Local Notes: Ambush from the banks at Anclote River on tidal changes. Dawn topwater (Zara Spook, MirrOlure Twitch) before switching to swimbaits.
Paralichthys albigutta
Flatfish common in coastal bays and flats. Excellent eating and popular sport fish.
Local Notes: One of the most common catches in the Big Bend at Anclote River. Slow-drift live shrimp near bottom or crawl a white jig across sandy bottom.
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: Migrate through Anclote River on their way upriver. Rolling fish are visible — free-line a live mullet or crab at the edges.
Pogonias cromis
Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.
Local Notes: Feed on the bottom of deeper bends in Anclote River. Shrimp or sand flea on a knocker rig.
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Hold in deep bends and around any overhanging structure at Anclote River. Light fluorocarbon with live shrimp.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Push into Anclote River on incoming tides. Work weedless gold spoons along the grass banks.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Congregate around dock pilings and fallen trees in Anclote River. Fiddler crabs produce the most bites.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Seek the deeper river holes at Anclote River during cold spells. Slow-sink MirrOlures at first light.
Lobotes surinamensis
Unusual fish that likes to hide under floating objects. Excellent table quality.
Local Notes: Hang around crab trap buoys, floating debris, and channel markers near Anclote River. Sight-cast a live shrimp — approach quietly.
