Find A Fishing Spot: Saltwater | Freshwater

By MEL BERMAN

It’s a problem most anglers don’t mind - hooking redfish too big to keep.

Though these bulls are not destined for the table, they’re a fun catch-and-release fish, doggedly pulling drag and fighting all the way in.

“There are large schools of reds all over the area - all around Fort DeSoto, Boca Ciega Bay and all throughout lower Tampa Bay,” reports Captain Chad Calhoun.

Working mangrove edges and oyster bars, Calhoun has his best results using scented plastics, scaled sardines and chunks of ladyfish or any type of cut bait. The latter is “dead-sticked” on the bottom, not moved until a red comes along and picks it up. His preference is fishing the latter part of the incoming and the beginning of the outgoing tides.

Though most of these reds are too big to keep, Calhoun assured us there are always some slot-sized fish to take home. Most of the reds he’s catching average 25 to 30 inches.

Captain Brent Gaskill has been working the beaches and nearshore artificial reefs, catching kingfish, Spanish mackerel, sharks, barracuda and amberjack.

“Scaling tackle down to 10-pound test spinning rods has kept it fun and challenging,” Gaskill said.

However, on a deeper wreck he stepped it up to 20-pound spinning gear, which is still considered light for those particular species.

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

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By MIKE ANDERSON

It has been a great week of fishing on Tampa Bay. Almost everything that swims seems to be eating. The mackerel — Spanish and king — are fast and steady. Captain Mark Thomas reports the kingfish are reliable all along the Egmont Channel out toward the Gulf, either slow trolling or anchored up and chumming baits back with the tide.

The Spanish mackerel bite is about as dependable as anything in the Bay right now. Anchor up near almost any of the range markers along the south shore and put out a bag of Profish Chum — it didn’t seem to matter if the baits were free-lined or put under a cork. We had several Spanish this week in the 20- to 30-inch range and they are a great fight. Remember to grab some long shank hooks before going out. You’ll need them.

The redfish bite was also very good along the south shore as well as in the Fort DeSoto area as there were plenty of slot-sized fish to be had. Be sure to work very close to the mangroves on the higher tides as they seemed to be pushing back into the shade.

The snook bite was steady, with our biggest fish coming on dead bait soaked on the bottom. As we all know, this is tarpon time, and they did not disappoint. Nobles reports having great action in Boca Grande pass and we lit them up all week at the Skyway bridge and at Egmont Key using big threadfins.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the “Reel Animals Fishing Show” on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on WHBO, 1470 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit
reelanimalsfishingshow.com.

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By Jim Lee

Freshwater:

We are going to see a rise in panfish catches as the moon goes dark. Bass action already has taken off with the warmer weather and lighter breezes. Light winds will move anglers to get on the water. Artificial lures are coming into their own, with white and chartreuse spinner baits, deep divers with bright orange bellies and worms (of course) catching more fish.

NORTH TAMPA: Bill’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 621-4237: Expectations are excellent for bigger and more bass. Bluegill and shellcracker are the main events for many, as they make excellent table fare.

LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 938-2379: Look for great bass catches on live shiners and artificial lures. Night bass catches keep getting better as the summer comes on. Bluegill should be jumping in the boat this weekend with the moon phase coming off the dark of the moon.

KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Grab those cane poles and spinner rigs and head for shellcracker country. Shellcracker and bluegill are drawing anglers from all over the state. Bass action is getting better.

LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Bass catches should be getting better and better as summer gets warmer and winds get lighter. Bluegill and shellcracker are what many are fishing for in this lake.

OKEECHOBEE, THE WEST WALL: Glen Hunter Guide Service, 1-800-541-7541: This lake is still very low. Bluegill are bedding, but call ahead to see if you can get to them. Some bass and bluegill can be caught in the Rim Canal.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Bluegill catches are good as the new moon effects the bedding habits of panfish. Bass action most always gets better in the summer.

Saltwater:

Grouper fishing has remained good for a longer period due to cool water and more fish. In 130 to 200 feet, you can catch the 20- and 30-pound red grouper and 15- to 20-pound gags. Mangrove snapper at that depth are keeper grouper size. However, fuel pricing has just about put a halt to offshore fishing for many. For certain, the numbers of trips are less. Red snapper come into season June 1, and tarpon are just about on us.

10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: Cool breezes will help keep the mosquitoes from making a great trip miserable. But big snook are on the hook in the land down under in the 10,000 islands, along with goliath grouper, reds and trout.

SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 923-7799: Tarpon are just around the corner. Fly anglers get the most out of a 6-foot silver bullet, but any tackle will work.

SUN CITY, BISHOPS HARBOR & COCKROACH BAY: John’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 376-1127: This area offers the best in inshore fishing from sheepshead to shark and others in between. Live bait is always good.

RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Sharks attack a soaked dead bait on the bottom and offer a great fight, but you should release them unharmed to fight another day. Redfish, sheepshead, trout and cobia are eating.

WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: There are always good fish in this area. Now you can look for kingfish on the outside along with mackerel, grouper around the bridges and a host of other inshore species up in the bay. The snook bite is getting very good. Redfish love live shrimp, and sheepshead are really good eating.

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Need a calm area in blowing winds? This is it. Upper Tampa Bay offers great snook and redfish year-round, and tarpon, mackerel and pompano in the summer.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Trout are a given, but in the summer, Hawkins and many other guides go for the silver — the big silver kings known as tarpon.

SKYWAY, UPPER BAY AND OFFSHORE: Captain James Wisner, (813) 784-5658: Tarpon is the game in the next few weeks. Meantime, kingfish and permit are on the front burner. Kingfish make the big run, while permit are like a bulldog. Or, if you want a calmer fire drill, try pompano on the flats or channels.

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

MID-PINELLAS PARTY BOATS: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard’s John’s Pass Marina and Kingfish dock, (727) 393-1947: Offshore fishing is good. Fish the deeper waters for black sea bass, mangrove snapper and gray snapper. You also might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips.

GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: Bridge and shoreline fishing is always a challenge, especially if you get that big snook or tarpon. But even a good 7- to 9-pound sheepshead will make you wish you had brought a bigger rod.

TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809: A taste of the Keys is what you will find around the barrier islands. From Anclote Island to Charlotte Harbor, the barrier islands offer great catches. Anclote Island and Tarpon Springs offer great snook, trout, redfish and mackerel catches. The area also thrives on offshore king and grouper fishing.

KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: If trout and redfish are your game, you might want to venture across the Suwannee River a few miles to Perry and Keaton Beach. This is where the trout are big, the catching is usually easy and limits are the norm. They fish a little different over there, with Cajun floats and Thunder spinner baits, and they catch more fish.

HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Hernando Beach is the closest jumping-off place to little-used grouper grounds. Inshore and offshore trips can reap keeper grouper, black sea bass, grunt and mackerel. Try Hernando’s Hideaway for grouper fishing.

FLY FISHING: Fishing with a fly rod enhances your catch, most fly anglers say. It is not difficult; it just takes a little finesse. When you have snook, redfish, kingfish, trout and tarpon to attack, why waste the effort using a flag pole when you can match your skill against the fish by using a switch?

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By BILL MILLER

The “Hooked on Fishing” crew fished recently on the “Friendly Fisherman” out of Hubbard’s Marina on John’s Pass.

Captain Garret Hubbard guided us and a nice group of Suncoast visitors to a great catch of gray snapper and kingfish on a half-day fishing trip. Locator and Ralphie rigged leaders with 2/0 hooks, 2 ounces of lead and a piece of squid wing caught just about all the grey snapper.

Kingfish were caught fly lining a double hooked Spanish sardine behind the boat. Anchoring on the 30 foot hard bottom worked well, but drifting with the light wind worked better.

Snook season closed May 1, but catch and release fishing is allowed. On the flats and around the mangroves, corked or free lined white bait is the top producer. Around heavy structure, a weighted pinfish or grunt is the best choice.
Tarpon have been jumped consistently at the Skyway on good moving tides. Captain Tommy Z likes big threadfin herring free lined back under the bridge in the piling eddies.

I’ve been hooking early morning tarpon from Bean Point to Cranes Bayou.

The silver kings have just arrived in good numbers along the Gulf beaches and will readily eat pinfish and crabs under a cork.

Captain Bill Miller hosts “Hooked on Fishing” on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. on Bright House Networks Catch 47.

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By RICK GRASSETT

Action on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay with trout, bluefish and Spanish mackerel continues to be productive. Also, kingfish have been caught recently in the inshore gulf off Point of Rocks at Siesta Key. However, fishing for reds and snook in skinny water slowed.

Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me recently on the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout to 18” and bluefish to 3-pounds at Stephens Point and north of Long Bar on DOA Deadly Combos.

Capt. Jim Klopfer, of Adventure Charters, reported catching Spanish mackerel and bluefish to 3-pounds and trout to 20” near Bird Key and from the south end of Longboat Key to Longboat Key Moorings on live shrimp and jigs with gold plastic tails. He also had a good trip in Roberts Bay near Skiers Island catching trout and Spanish mackerel on live shrimp under popping corks.

Another trip produced Spanish mackerel and trout to 17” near Big Pass and mangrove snapper and small gag grouper at the Twin Bridges and Siesta Drive Bridge on free lined live shrimp.

We are at a prime time for tarpon to begin schooling along beaches. With water temperature approaching 80 degrees in the inshore gulf, a key temperature for tarpon, schools of tarpon should become more plentiful each day. Another factor is the phase of the moon, so as we approach the full moon tarpon fishing should take off. Best baits are usually live crabs, a variety of baitfish, plugs, plastic baits and flies. Set up in the lane that migrating schools are traveling in and cast to them as they pass by.

For more details visit www.flyfishingflorida.net, www.snookfin-addict.com or call Rick Grassett at (941) 923-7799.

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By RANDY ROCHELLE

Anglers fishing to the north of our area report the gag grouper are still chewing. Jack Hexter and crew ran to the west out of the Cotee and made drops on several spots. Even though the bite was slow they still managed to box 14 keeper gags to 27 inches.

Further south, on a recent trip we managed to box a nice mixed of grouper, snapper, jacks and kingfish. Our first stop was near the end of the Egmont Channel at makers one and two. Schoolie size kingfish have been thick on this spot and this trip was no exception.

After that we bounced around from ledge to ledge in 60 to 80-feet catching grouper, snapper and other assorted bottom dwellers. Our last stop was a wreck in 120 feet of water. The amberjack were thick and it didn’t take long to box a limit of 20- to 25-pound jacks.

Red snapper continue to frustrate bottom fisherman. Jeff Newberg and family fished the Pipe on a recent trip. Newberg stated that he ran into to them at every spot they fished. Most of the fish are in the 4- to 8-pound class with a few running 10 to 14 pounds. We did manage to boat some decent grouper by dropping very large live baits but even the large baits sometimes were inhaled by a big red snapper.

Kingfish are still chewing although bigger fish have been hard to come by schoolie size fish can be found just about anywhere.

Captain Randy Rochelle runs the Gotta Go out of St. Pete and can be reached at (727) 365-3218 or go to 93islandercharters.net.

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By MARK COOK

With water temperatures in the low to mid-80s on many area lakes, fishermen are starting to switch to summer tactics to find fish. This means fishing early or late and fishing deeper and slower.

Lake Kissimmee was on fire the past few days with limits of shellcracker and bluegill very common. Anglers have been a little tight lipped, according to the folks at Grape Hammock Fish Camp on the southwest side of Kissimmee. Those that are talking seem to be finding the panfish in the lily pads around Brahma and Grassy Island, with wiggler worms best on the shellcracker and crickets taking most of the bluegill. Bass catches on the Kissimmee chain have been tough as water levels are dropping. Lake Toho was recently sprayed for nuisance weeds and vegetation, which is creating a challenge for anglers looking for bass.

This is the best time of the year to target panfish in area rivers. Low water levels help congregate the fish, so work the deep dark corners with a live worm. It’s possible to catch bluegill, shellcracker, catfish and bass in a single deep river hole. If you don’t immediately get a bite, find the next hole and hang on.

Wednesday morning I took a quick trip to Holmes Beach, wading the grass flats on the south side of Manatee Avenue. Using a 1/8 -jig head rigged with a new-penny Berkley Gulp shrimp I found a good flounder bite skipping the shrimp slowly over the white sand potholes doting the grass flats. For those that throw a cast net the mullet were practically hitting me in the head as I waded. Now is an excellent time to target mullet for the smoker or frying pan.

For more information, contact Mark Cook at tribfishing@aol.com.

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By FRED EVERSON

Snook season ended Wednesday and I failed to put a keeper in the box, despite seeing quite a few fish along the mangrove in front of Sand Key. I did catch a 22-inch redfish on the flats in front of the island, and that fish went home for dinner. It hit a 5-inch RipTide mullet fished on a half-ounce jig head. I did better fishing off my dock on the Little Manatee River the day before catching a snook, jack and ladyfish in about 15 minutes using the same lure.

The trout were biting off Pinellas Point earlier in the week. I went across the Bay with Gabe Krakowski of Brooklyn, N.Y., and we put five keepers in the box, and released another four or five fish that measured right at the bottom of the 15- to 20-inch slot. Terry Akroyd told me he was there the same day, but couldn’t buy a 16-inch fish, but caught plenty of trout.
Spanish mackerel have yet to make their presence felt, but they are here. Most of the reports I heard were from the middle of the Bay, but the bite was somewhere between slow and nonexistent.

There are some small bluefish hanging out between the Skyway and Pinellas Point. Break out the wire leaders for these fish. Even the little ones will cut through heavy monofilament, and wire doesn’t seem to deter them as much as it does Spanish mackerel.

Keli Emery reported hot fishing for redfish on the South Shore flats, and also said she caught and released three snook the day after the season ended.

I have yet to see the first schools of threadfin herring, and they are already about two weeks late. Everybody is commenting on the size of the bull sharks on the flats south of Apollo Beach. I have seen several fish in the 6-foot class.

Visit captain Fred Everson’s Web site at Tampabayfishingguide.com for charter info or call (813) 830-8890.

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By MEL BERMAN

Most of the folks who work at the popular Skyway fishing piers are avid anglers. When their shifts are over, many grab thier rods to crank in some of the abundant species at the productive fishing venue. After his shift, Jim Phillips, who loves to catch larger species like sharks and tarpon, recently hooked an 8-foot lemon shark that had been circling the pilings. Using a live bat ray for bait, he hooked up and finally landed the huge trophy.

Recent cold fronts have inhibited the Skyway bite, but pier manager Jamie Foster thinks that once the weather settles into a more typical spring pattern, the kings and Spanish mackerel will show up again in good numbers.

Numerous tarpon are also cruising through the area, along with excellent numbers of keeper-sized mangrove snapper, some grouper, cobia and sheepshead, plus trout, snook and redfish in the shallow grass along the approaches to the Skyway.

There are hordes of bait schools percolating in the surrounding bridge waters. A Sabiki rig or cast net is all that is required to load up on enough bait for a day of fishing. The greenbacks also entice many species to hang around the great Skyway structures for some ideal angling possibilities. Meanwhile, encouraging numbers of pompano are showing up there, as well as at most of the bay’s big bridges.

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

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By BILLY NOBLES

Usually, we write fishing reports about what has happened during the previous week. This week, I’m going to tell you what’s going to be happening in the next two months.

If you haven’t guessed, it’s the time of year when most of the top charter captains on the west coast make their annual pilgrimage to Boca Grande, also known as the Tarpon Capital of the World. We start our days at 5 a.m. by loading the boat with tackle and crabs, and by 6 we are under way, heading out of Stump Pass traveling south to Boca Grande Pass. Most mornings we don’t even make it past Don Pedro State Park before we have hooked a silver king.

We continue toward the world-famous pass, jumping several more tarpon along the way. Then, the pass is in sight, with boats bumping and grinding and fish flying. This is what we call controlled chaos. Depending on our clients’ desires, we will either fish the pass using jigs or continue down the beach in front of Cayo Costa. This brings us up to lunch time, and we’ll go to either Cabbage Key or North Captiva. Warning: secure your coolers. North Captiva has pirates! Little brown, furry ones. The otters that will raid your boat of food, bait or almost anything else they can get their hands on.

After lunch, it’s a run offshore for permit up to 50 pounds and goliath grouper of more than 600 pounds. At around 3 p.m. we start heading for the pass to catch crabs and wait for the tarpon to begin a feast that has been a tradition for thousands of years. When the tarpon begin to gorge themselves on these crabs, they are everywhere, and everyone is hooking up. It is truly a natural phenomenon that you have to see to believe. So if you want some excitement, come on down and do battle with the silver king.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the “Reel Animals Fishing Show” on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on WHBO, 1470 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit www.reelanimalsfishingshow.com.

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By JIM LEE

Freshwater:

Better weather has sparked bass and panfish anglers to hit the water in larger numbers. Shellcracker, bluegill and bass are within easy reach. We might see bass start to bed again soon. Meanwhile, bluegill and shellcracker are great table fare.

NORTH TAMPA: Bill’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 621-4237: Bass action has improved throughout the area. Bluegill, warmouth perch and shellcracker are taking worms and crickets. Catches have been better this week.

LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 938-2379: Bass action continues to be very good. Even night action has started with some trolling and casting in the early hours. Bluegill catches have slowed with the moon in the quarter phase, but the new moon will show a pickup in bedding fish.

KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Shellcracker are still the easy catch, and some bluegill also are being caught. Bass action has increased as anglers are able to get on the water.

OKEECHOBEE, THE WEST WALL: Glen Hunter Guide Service, 1-800-541-7541: This lake is still very low. Bluegill are bedding, but call ahead to see if you can get to them. Harney Pond is dry; the contractors are scraping 18 inches off the bottom down to the sand. Some of the mud is being hauled out, some made into islands. Some bass and bluegill can be caught in the Rim Canal.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Bluegill catches continue, but have slacked off a little with the moon phase. The next new moon will see an influx of bedding fish. Shellcracker should be bedding soon. Bass action has been off, but is beginning to increase with the better weather.

Saltwater

Grouper fishing is still good past 60 feet. Larger red grouper to 25 pounds can be caught in 200 feet or more. However, red snapper do not come into season until June. With the full moon gone, more mangrove snapper will be caught during the daylight hours. Snook are eating and moving back out to the river and creek mouths. Redfish, trout, mangrove snapper and some pompano are being caught. Kingfish and mackerel are plentiful. You must have a venting device (for letting the air out of the deep-water fish) on your boat as of June 1, or face getting a ticket. Insert the vent device under a scale and press carefully on the belly to let the expanded air out.

10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: With plenty of live bait to use, snook and redfish action is fantastic. Big snook are moving out of the back country down closer to the river mouths. Fish the deeper holes where the water is moving. You also can catch trout, cobia and goliath grouper.

SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 923-7799: As the front went through, catches decreased. However, trout, mackerel and bluefish are coming back. By the weekend, redfish and snook should be back in action. Use jigs and flies to catch these.

SUN CITY, BISHOPS HARBOR & COCKROACH BAY: John’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 376-1127: Good fishing has returned as the winds slacked off. Sharks, redfish, mackerel, snook and mangrove snapper are the easy catches. It took a couple of days after the front for the snook bite to come back. Live bait rules, especially greenbacks or live shrimp.

RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Redfish are everywhere. Since the front, the snook have come back as the baitfish have moved into the area. Sheepshead are still being caught in Simmons Park. Trout and blacktip sharks also are being caught. Cockroach Bay catches are mostly snook and redfish. Mackerel 3 to 4 pounds are at the edge of the deeper water drop.

WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Good bait schools have moved into the area. Fish live greenbacks for bluefish and mackerel. The snook bite was off after the front went through, but has picked up.

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Snook catches just keep getting better. There are lots of redfish at the creek mouths and on the flats.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Snook catches have increased. Live greenback minnows are the best bait, but live shrimp work well, too. Topwater artificial lures are the fun way to catch a snook. Redfish, mackerel and trout are still the easy catch. King mackerel are offshore and pompano are where you find them.

SKYWAY, UPPER BAY AND OFFSHORE: Captain James Wisner, (813) 784-5658: Mackerel, kingfish, pompano and redfish are the main attractions. You also might take home a grouper around the Sunshine Skyway (bring a big sack). Permit are on the wrecks and will take a live crab.

FISHING PIERS: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for speckled trout, redfish, flounder 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: Offshore fishing is good. Fish the deeper waters for black sea bass, mangrove snapper and gray snapper. You also might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips.

GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: The snook bite took a short dive during the cool front, but this weekend should foster a great snook catch. There is lots of baitfish in the bay and the snook will be chewing. Mackerel are the easiest catch in the bay. Troll, fish or chum with live bait. Pompano could be at the bridges again. Mangrove snapper are standby catch.

TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809: Just past Anclote Island, in 15 feet of water or so, you can set up a chum line or troll for mackerel. Kingfish might be a little farther out, or fish the estuaries as they move in an out with the tides. The snook bite has picked up a little. Trout and reds are the inshore main event. Grouper fishing is good.

HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: As the winds get back to normal again it is grouper time. With the exception of the winds from the recent cool front, catches have reigned for the past two weeks. Grouper are the top target; in fact, they are very populous within 40 miles. Mangrove snapper, large grunt and sea bass also are being caught. Fishing is good.

KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Mackerel to 5 pounds are being caught. Trout anglers are taking trout more than 21 inches. The Nuclear chicken and Gulp baits were doing the job. Live pins under Thunder floats also were very effective. The new lure on the block is the Stalker Spinner bait, which is another Cajun Thunder product. It is taking trout and redfish and is easy for most anyone to use. Offshore action consisted of one catch of 20 grouper more than 15 pounds using live pinfish and other cut bait.

HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Grouper catches haven’t slowed; only the anglers slow when the winds blow. Grouper, kingfish, mackerel, black sea bass and grunt are good catches and great table fare.

FLY FISHING: With the snook bite escalating, a white streamer or green and white popper will catch a snook. Shrimp patterns work best at night. Just cast past the light and strip it through the light. The snook will rise from the bottom and take the bait. Tarpon are coming.

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By RICK GRASSETT

Sarasota Bay has been a good spot for a variety of species. The best action has been on deep grass flats, with trout and scattered Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Fishing for reds and snook in shallow water north of Long Bar has also been good. Little tunny and Spanish and king mackerel have been hitting trolled plugs, live bait, flies and jigs in the coastal Gulf off Siesta Key. Tarpon have also been spotted around bridges at night, cruising in the shadows.

Anglers fishing Sarasota Bay with me this week on the Snook Fin-Addict out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters caught and released trout of up to 20 inches. They also caught Spanish mackerel and bluefish to 3 pounds with CAL jigs and Clouser flies on deep grass flats at Stephens Point, Bishops Point and near Buttonwood Harbor. We also caught and released numerous reds to 24 inches and snook to 26 inches in shallow water north of Long Bar on the same lures and flies. Anglers should be aware that snook season closes today.

Captain Jim Klopfer of Adventure Charters reported fast action with trout to 20 inches, bluefish to 2 pounds and Spanish mackerel to 2 1/2 pounds near Bird Key and along the west side of Sarasota Bay from Country Club Shores to Bishops Point on free-lined live shrimp and jigs. He fished the east side of the bay on another trip and caught and released trout, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish and jacks on free-lined shrimp and jigs at Stephens Point.
Fishing the deep and shallow grass flats should continue to be good as tides improve during the next few days.

Call captain Rick Grassett at (941) 923-7799 or visit www.flyfishingflorida.net or www.snookfin-addict.com.

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By RAY MARKHAM

Snook season comes to a close tonight at midnight and remains closed through the summer. Anglers have been pounding the water hard this week looking for a legal-sized fish to take home. The new slot size is 28 to 33 inches on the Gulf Coast, and finding fish in that window has been no easy task.

Fish are scattered across the flats, and few have moved to the passes. However, on next week’s new moon, you could find the beginning of that migration. Bait schools have been moving in and out of the bays during the past month as cold fronts keep blasting through. Once the weather settles, expect to see a full-on movement of linesiders toward the passes and beaches.

The fishing in the Terra Ceia Bay area produces thousands of snook each year, and it is a major spawning area where huge female breeders and smaller males gather each summer. The new and full moons are peak gathering periods, with snook invading the passes from May through August, and sometimes into September. Fish of all sizes can be found, but the smaller, more aggressive males seem to grab the bait more quickly than the larger females.

As we get into the warmer months, larger baits will become more accepted. A variety of baits and sizes are being hammered right now. Water temperatures reaching the upper 70s late in the day makes the fish feed. Through May and into June, the DOA Shrimp, the CAL Shad, the MirrOlure MirrOminnow (representing a glass minnow), the MirrOlure MirrOdine (scaled sardine), the DOA Baitbuster and the Rapala Skitterwalk (finger mullet) will work as prime artificial baits for catching snook.

Ray Markham co-hosts “Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live,” Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. on WWBA, 1040 AM, and may be reached for charter at (941) 723-2655.

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By RANDY ROCHELLE

This week’s marine forecast looks like it did back in early March, and I was just starting to think we had seen the last of the windy weather. Winds will be out of the northeast 15 to 20 knots early in the week, then switch around to the southeast at 15 knots near the end of the week.

Meanwhile, Vance Tice pulled of another hot Tampa Bay Trolling trip with 30 gags, including eight keepers. Tice said that he had three doubles and a couple break-offs. Not to shabby for four hours of trolling.

If you find it too rough to make the run offshore grouper digging, try anchoring close to shore on one of the hard bottom areas near the passes or a close in artificial reefs. Deploy a bag of chum and free line some live baits.

The Spanish Mackerel and kingfish will keep you busy and don’t be surprised if you bag a cobia or two. Target areas where you find birds working near the surface and you mark lots of bait.

Did a little jack fishing over the weekend and the deeper wrecks are covered with 15- to 40-pound amberjack. The fish have been very aggressive coming right up to the boat to see what’s going on. Now is a great time to try to catch one on a fly-rod; you can get them feeding on live chummers and then toss out a fly.

Captain Randy Rochelle runs the Gotta Go out of St. Pete and can be reached at (727) 365-3218 or go to 93islandercharters.net.

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By MARK COOK

With the bass spawn pretty much wrapped up, most freshwater anglers have turned their gear toward panfish. And unlike the disappointment of the bass spawn, bluegill anglers are being rewarded with limits.

Lake Tarpon fishermen have been seeing more and more bluegill staging on the beds. Wear a good pair of polarized sunglasses, get as high in your boat as you can and look for sandy patches of white. When you do, you’ll find the fish. In a lot of cases, if you push your boat through the reed and grass lines, the beds will be behind. Crickets and wigglers are doing the trick and some anglers are using extra small spinner type of baits to catch fish.

Medard Reservoir has also been producing good numbers of shellcracker and bluegill along with a few catfish. A good bet is to work the far east shorelines and the open water islands of reeds. Also, pitch your wiggler up under the overhanging myrtle bushes that line Medard banks.

Kevin Corbett and son Tyler of Pinecrest caught a good bass bite early last week fishing the Mosaic pits down south. The father-son duo boated several fish in the 2- to 4-pound range and also caught and released a pair of 7-pounders.

On the saltwater side, Larry Walls and Troy Walker had an excellent day with snook in the cuts north of Cockroach and also caught their limit of trout working the deep grass flats around Bishop’s Harbor. Walls, a noted beach tarpon angler, said tarpon are starting to show inside and expects the beach fishing to turn on during the next two weeks.

For more information, contact Mark Cook at tribfishing@aol.com.

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