Sheepshead are moving into the passes on their way out to the gulf to spawn.  I'm starting to see good numbers off of Coquina Key.  We caught some nice size Sheepshead yesterday at Pass-a-Grille and Meisner's Bridge.  You can start looking for schools of Drum between Meisner's Bridge and the downtown Pier.  

The Spring tides are starting. Check the passes at night during outgoing tides for crab and shrimp.  These tides will be good until the first full moon in June.  After that date the shrimp will be too small to eat.  Shrimping is a blast and I should have some video tutorials about it loaded soon. You'll need at least a pair of aluminum clamp lamps (we rig the wiring with alligator clips and bring along a charged battery.)  Make sure to use a 12V bulb you can pick them up at a marine supply store.  Cost Plus Marine Supplies on Johns Pass has them in stock, just ask for Ben. Long Handled dipping nets are a must and you can even pick those up at my shop.  This is the method I like to use but alternatives like clamp lights on your hat, or even underwater lights work too.  

Try to anchor where the current is strongest off to the side of the pass or bridge.  Look at the tables for a hard outgoing tide.  NOAA has a great current table, look for the ebb speed:  1.6 or higher will be a nice tide for shrimping. If the weather is nice you will want to try and anchor sideways to have a larger netting radius.  If there's a wind anchoring your bow straight in to the tide always works too.  

We're still catching Silver Trout off of Redington Pier and all along beaches from Johns Pass to Redington.  The bait is already thick at Pass-a-Grille.  Their size is still small but it won't be long.  I have been catching giant white bait off the Skyway Pier. 

Now quit wishing, and start fishing!  

See You on the Water, 

Capt. K