By JIM LEE

Freshwater

Speckled perch are being caught, but not in high numbers yet. Bass catches are good, with fish to 6 and 8 pounds taken. Bluegill catches are still being taken in Lake
Okeechobee, but not farther north to speak of. Some can be caught by trolling jigs. Bass catches are getting better and, as the water cools, they might go on the beds.

HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: The Bypass Canal is still producing good shellcracker catches. Catfish are still hot. The best place for bluegill is in the Hillsborough River. Specks can be caught in the Bypass Canal, but not in good numbers.

LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: Bass 3 to 6 pounds are being caught best early or at night. Wiggler worms will still catch a few bluegill, but more specks are being caught. Night fishing for bass is as good as it gets.

KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Better bass catches continue to be taken. Bluegill have all but quit, although some can still be taken. Watch for specks; they are still scattered in twos and threes, but can be caught trolling.

LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Bass catches to 20 fish are being caught. Specks are spotty, with most taken at night. However, it is apparent that these fish are not schooling up yet, but are still scattered in groups of three and four.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE: J & S Fish Camp, (772) 597-4455 Bluegill are still being caught. Tilapia, catfish and some specks are also being taken. Lots of 4- to 8-pound bass can be caught.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Bass 2 to 3 pounds make up most of the bass catches. However, occasionally, a 6-pounder is caught.

Saltwater

Better weather prevailed now and then this past week, which produced better catches. Kingfish are here, but not in the full-blown numbers we seek. Deep-troll to the proper depth (where your fish finder shows you they are) with a No. 3 planer followed by a spoon, lure or strip. You also could slow-troll with live blue runners or other live bait. Some anglers anchor up with live pinfish baits under a good non-twisting float, such as the Cajun Thunder, and weighted, brass clickers on heavy gage stainless wire (there are many knock-off versions). You also can catch Spanish mackerel the same way with smaller baits. Grouper should move in soon; all we need is a little more cold weather. Flounder, bluefish, redfish, jack crevalle and ladyfish are schooling.

10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: With the unusual warm weather we have had, great snook catches are being made. Back-country fishing is great for snook and redfish on the outer points. Fingerling mullet, greenbacks and shrimp work. Night fishing in the back country on artificial lures is a hoot.

SUN CITY, BISHOPS HARBOR & COCKROACH BAY: John’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 376-1127: John will be on the water as soon as the weather cools with live bait to sell. Snook, ladyfish, redfish and mangrove snapper are the easy catches. Mackerel are in the bay.

RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Big mangrove snapper are in good supply. Snook and a few redfish and trout are being caught. The Sunshine Skyway area is producing mackerel, and an occasional tarpon is still being jumped.

WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Mangrove snapper are still at the top of the list and provide a tasty morsel at dinner time. Flounder and a few mackerel can be found.

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Snook catches are improving. This is one of the best places to catch redfish. Inside the creeks or ‘A’ Canal and the residential canals are good places to start. Redfish and snook are the staples in the upper bay.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Mackerel and big jacks are leaping in schools of bait. Snook singles will take a lure or live bait. You can work a jerk bait along a shoreline for snook. Redfish are easy on live bait or artificial lures. Fishing is fantastic.

FISHING PIERS: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for mangrove snapper, redfish, flounder, mackerel and even a stray grouper.

MID-PINELLAS PARTY BOATS: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard’s John’s Pass Marina and Kingfish dock, (727) 393-1947: Go offshore for a deep sea fishing extravaganza. Fish the deeper waters for grouper, mangrove snapper and gray snapper (grunt). You also might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches of amberjack and big mangrove snapper.

GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: The Gandy Bridge is closed to fishing. However, Gandy Bait and Tackle is the place to go in this area for live bait and tackle. Snook, black drum, redfish and mackerel are in the bay. Fish the Weedon Island area for trout and redfish. Ladyfish are everywhere. Live greenbacks will fool anybody.

CLEARWATER TO DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Big mackerel are on the inside of the spoil islands. Lots of redfish and big trout are being found. Some are holding around the spoil islands. Snook are scattered but usually will take live bait when presented.

TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809 or (727) 808-6688: Big mackerel are being caught inside and outside the barrier reefs. The residential canals are producing big mangrove snapper. Kings can be caught in the usual places. Cobia should be making their run again soon. Large trout have begun their move on to the flats.

KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Trout fishing is improving every day and they are taking most any artificial lure you throw at them, from 2.5 to 4.5 feet of water. In deeper water, use a pinfish strip under a Cajun Thunder for trout to 24 inches. If you want to catch trout on artificial lures, now is the time and this is the place.

HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727)-992-9494: Fishing gets better and better. The12-hour charters to 50 and 60 feet are best for big keeper grouper. Live bait, cut bait or trolling will catch grouper.

FLY FISHING: Notice the Keaton Beach report. It won’t be long before trout catches will reflect similar catches, as trout are getting bigger. This is when fly fishing for sea trout makes its mark. You can easily take six to 20 oversized trout (2 to 4 pounds) on a morning while thrashing the water.