Pasco County By: Capt. Bobby Carroll

It looks like we are in the clear for some serious spring fishing! The bite never stopped throughout winter. Which is a good thing, because the bite is only going to continue and get even hotter.

Be sure to carry a rod for every size fish. This is the time when you can target cobia, kingfish, redfish, snook and trout all in one day. I like starting for the larger species first, then working my way toward the shallows to finish off the day. For cobia, I use 40-pound braid paired up with 60-pound fluorocarbon leader. For rods, I use a heavy to extra heavy 8-foot paired up with a 6 to 8-k size reel.

There are so many variances of rods and reels for kingfish. But, for line, you can use the same size as cobia—just switch to a wire leader with a stinger rig.

Redfish and snook are out with one mission; to eat and eat aggressively! Make sure you load up on plenty of bait first thing in the morning, and have your day planned out. You’re not the only angler loving this time of year, so your first stop is your most crucial on targeting what you truly want to catch.

For the artificial guy, get out there before the sun is up. It’s getting hotter, so the earlier the better.

We are seeing more and more people get into the sport of fishing. We also have a bunch asking where to go for tackle and other accessories to get fitted. I like using Armed Anglers in Holiday. They are open earlier than anyone and close later than the other shops. Also, there’s always an owner on hand making sure you get what you want with exceptional service!