By MEL BERMAN

Just as seatrout season closes Sunday for two months in all waters south of the Pasco/Pinellas line is almost precisely when the fall run of this popular species commences. Perhaps that’s what state fisheries managers had in mind when they proposed a seatrout closure in 1989.

While many target other species during the closure, a good number of anglers continue to enjoy catching and releasing trout during that period. If you do, experts recommend using hooks with bent barbs to allow for easy release. They also urge anglers to avoid touching this delicate species by using a release tool to get the trout off the hook.

So far, a series of unseasonably warm days has delayed the run of larger trout. However, they could begin to show up as early as this weekend.

Though the preference of many is to use live shrimp and other natural baits to catch trout, artificials can be as effective this time of year. Jigs will be most productive, while plugs, spoons and shrimp imitations also will yield excellent results.

Captain Tim Whitfield was working the many mangrove islands, potholes and cuts from Simmons Park to Apollo Beach. He caught about 14 redfish and eight snook using the scented Exude Dart.

“That area has come alive since that last cold front dropped water temperatures into the 70s,” Whitfield said.

Kayak guide Steve Gibson has been fishing south Tampa Bay and scoring several nice fish around the Bishop Harbor area. This week, he found good numbers of snook and reds in that area, including a nice snook more than 30 inches long.

Hear “The Captain Mel Show” Saturdays from 6-9 a.m. on 970 AM. Also, visit “Fishing Florida OnLine Magazine” at capmel.com.