A great search bait in almost any area you go to is a spoon. Gold, White, Pink and Green they all work and they work in different conditions. My goto is the white Aqua Dream I like to retrieve it just fast enough to keep it from snagging the grass. This retrieve allows me to cover a lot of area fast. When fishing a area you have never fished before the key to maximizing your time on the water is to locate the fish as fast as possible. The spoon will help you locate them. On days with no wind ... Read more...

Well the fishing has been tough in the south Pinellas area. With a few days of warm weather ahead of us this wee end and beginning of the week look for the fish to be suning on the shallow flats on high tides. Slowly work... Read more...

Once the weather stabilizes for the week and the temp begins to warm up look for the fishing to pick up. Slow retrieves are recommended the cooler water will slow the fish down and will most likely not chase down a fast moving bait. I use a good amount of Pro Cure bait sent this gives the fish another thing to key in on and will help you catch more fish. Another thing to look for is oyster bars that were exposed on low tide they will hold heat once the tide is high and that will attract fish.... Read more...

Flounder are fun fish to catch and very tasty to eat. When targeting flounder look for bottom that is rocky or goes from grass to sand. Sand holes in the middle on the grass and mud bottom will hold them as well. I typically find Flounder in deeper water 3 to 4 feet is a good depth to start. Flounder will eat just about any bait you would normally use when targeting inshore fish. I use a 1/4oz jig head with a DOA shad tail but any jig will work. If you prefer live bait shrimp and white bait w... Read more...

  The weather is cooling down but the Trout fishing is heating up. Caught several trout over 16'' along with a few over 20''. The Flounder are also bitting good. They are on the small side under 16'' but I was able to land one that measured 20''. Shrimp imitations on a 1/8oz jig head drug or popped off the bottom is the retrieve I have been using. The Mirrodie has also worked well and has produced some very nice size trout. Trolling along the beach has also been productive. A silver ... Read more...

The weather is cooling down but the Trout fishing is heating up. Caught several trout over 16'' along with a few over 20''. The Flounder are also bitting good. They are on the small side under 16'' but I was able to land one that measured 20''. Shrimp imitations on a 1/8oz jig head drug or popped off the bottom is the retrieve I have been using. The Mirrodie has also worked well and has produced some very nice size trout. Trolling along the beach has also been productive. A silver spoon ... Read more...

A good tactic for any skill level is a popping cork. Simply cast it out with live or artificial baits reel and jerk. You should hear a popping sound and see a splash. Vary your speed until you figure out what speed they are going to bite at. Super simple bait with big results. Captain Erick DeSpirt... Read more...

The weather for the week looks much better less wind and rain. The Mackerel bite continues to be good along the beach and near shore reefs. I have reports of Flounder in the passes and in large sand holes on the flats. Sm... Read more...

I have received good reports of Mackerel on the beach and near shore reefs. Silver spoons or live bait have been working great. You may also find them on the channel edges and the drop offs around the flats. Redfish have been schooling in the fort De Soto area a slow approach is key to getting in casting distance. Cut, live and a verity of artificial baits have been working. The Trout bite has been very good this last week and should be good through the weekend. Grass flats in two to four fee... Read more...

Try anchoring up current of one of the bridges in the area and drift baits past the pilings. Both free lined and weighted live or artificial will work. Fishing bridges can produce different spices at different times of the year. Bridge fishing is typically very productive and can produce several types of fish in a single trip. Good luck and have fun fishing Captain Erick DeSpirt Reel Cranking Charters 727-517-5041... Read more...

Today's blog is to update you on new products here at Suncoast Marine Center. Newly added to the Suncoast Marine stable are Veranda pontoon boats by Veranda Marine featuring Yamaha outb... Read more...

Hi All, Kendra here with a safety update brought to light by todays news. Below you will find a link to a St.Pete Times story from this morning. It involves two boaters that fell out of thier boat when they lost control due to a large wake wave. Sadly, one of the gentleman lost his life. In every accident there is a lesson to be learned.  In this case that lesson is   Where your lanyard, thats what its there for. The safety lanyard cuts the engine ... Read more...

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Welcome to the Suncoast Marine Center Blog. Im Captain Erick DeSpirt of Reel Cranking Charters. I will be posting fishing reports, boating tips and answering any questions you may have. Welcome to the blog. Feel free to post any questions you have or email me at reelcranking@gmail.com... Read more...

Hey there! Thanks for visiting Suncoast Marine Center on the web. Our new blog is here to bring you new information on things of interest to the boating community from fishing, to weather, to new products and much more. There are several of us here supplying this information and even a few professional writers like Captain Erik Despirt , a local guide and friend of Suncoast Marine.  http://reelcranking.com/  We look forward to providing you with useful... Read more...