By JIM LEE

FRESHWATER

Now is the time for bass anglers to get on the water. Cooler water will bring a lot of action. Bass will school as they go after the bait. Specks will form in larger groups and will take trolled jigs and minnows. Specks are taking jigs in Lake Istokpoga, Okeechobee and other lakes across the southern part of the state.

LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh & Saltwater Bait & Tackle (727) 772-0708 Watch the temperature. The drop in water temperature will cause the baitfish to start schooling. Find bait, and you will find bass. Look for birds diving or the bait jumping. Rattling crankbaits, topwater lures and spinners will do the job. Speckled perch will turn on soon.

KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp (863) 692-1500: Fish for bass now. The larger fish are biting, and it will only get better. Specks will start biting, sooner than you might think. Bluegill are best found by trolling, but don’t expect to catch many unless you have a secret hole.

LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort and Guide Service (863)-655-0134: If I had to pick a lake for bass, this would be in the top three. Bass up to 8 pounds are being caught. A few speckled perch are also being caught, and they are big.

OKEECHOBEE, THE WEST WALL: It could be better, and it will be again someday. The lake is mostly too low to fish, but they are allowing seine nets to take bluegill and shellcracker in the middle of the lake. Some bass and bluegill can be caught in the Rim Canal.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge (352) 793-2061: Specks are not here yet. However, as it cools off, they will start biting. Bass action is still good, and will get better. Bluegill can still be caught. This is one of the best bluegill lakes late into the season.

SALTWATER

This nice weather is what we have been waiting for, and the fall fishing fire-drill will follow. Get the boat ready. Flounder have already moved into the bays. Redfish are schooling, and bait is gathering offshore. The big breeder redfish are here and will run away with light tackle. Mangrove snapper are available to fill your coolers. Action on the larger trout is a few weeks away. Grouper have already been found shallower than normal for this time of year. Mackerel are everywhere.

10,000 ISLANDS: Capt. Cory McMillin, fishtheglades.com (239) 695-4420: Fishing the Glades can be as good as it gets for both redfish and snook. Bait has been tough to find, so be sure to bring some live shrimp to make sure you have something. Fish the outside edges of the creeks and points.

SUN CITY, BISHOP HARBOR & COCKROACH BAY: John’s Bait & Tackle: (813) 376-1127: As the only waterfront bait shop in the South Shore area, captain John’s new shop will be at Cockroach Bay.

RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle (813) 641-2010: Cockroach Bay has redfish and snook. Live shrimp is good, since whitebait can be scarce this time of year. Fish the break or drop-off area for mangroves. Fish the sandy areas for flounder. Simmons Park is turning into the go-to place for reds, sheepshead and mangrove snapper.

WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes (813) 973-7132: Big bonito are inside the Skyway following schools of bait. Bonito from 10 to 16 pounds were being caught this week. Troll spoons or small live bait. Mangrove snapper are hot, as are redfish. Fish Joe’s Island at the tide change for redfish. Mackerel are in the shipping channel.

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle (813) 885-9811: Creeks make it easy. This area has plenty of creeks, coves and the canal to fish when the wind blows. Redfish and snook are biting. The residential snook population will increase as the water cools. Fish the mangroves and creeks along the North Shore. Mangrove snapper are in the deeper holes and on rough bottom.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins (727) 560-6762: Watch for the birds — you might find bonito or jacks schooling. Redfish are also schooling. Pompano and small permit are also being caught. Trout are beginning to move in.

SKYWAY, UPPER BAY AND OFFSHORE: Captain James Wisner (813) 784-5658: Anglers are fishing the remaining tarpon and looking for grouper as they move closer. Skyway fishing is fantastic.

FISHING PIERS: South Pier (941) 729-0117: Fish the pier for speckled trout, 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 fall deep-sea extravaganza. Fish deeper water for grouper, black sea bass, mangrove snapper and gray snapper. You might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches of grouper and red snapper.

GANDY BAIT & TACKLE (813) 839-5551: Mackerel are here, schooling in the upper bay. Some trout are still being caught, and redfish are good, especially on the St. Petersburg side. Mangrove snapper are the best table fare to go for. Use live bait.

CLEARWATER to DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey (727) 667-8291: Some small schools of kingfish have been seen on the outside of the barrier islands, along with bonito and Spanish mackerel. Otherwise, inshore fishing is fantastic, with schools of reds. Fish Honeymoon Island on the rock piles outside for big breeder redfish. Snook are ganging up at the creek and river mouths around the oyster bars. Mangrove snapper are also a good catch.

TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox (727) 376-8809: Just offshore of the barrier reefs you can find mackerel and a few kingfish. Redfish are everywhere. Fish the shoreline, inside the rivers and the big spawner redfish are around. Snook are biting, but are picky. A few large trout are moving onto the flats.

HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, alwaysfishing.com (352) 666-6234: Grouper are moving in and are in 20 to 40 feet of water. Grouper, big sea bass and grunts are all being caught.

KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service (850) 584-9145: Put a pinfish under a Cajun Thunder float and you will catch trout. Most are more than 20 inches. Lots of keeper trout are being caught. One boat reported a catch of eight keeper grouper offshore.

HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, gulfgrouper.com (727) 992-9494: The water temperature is nearing 80 degrees. As a result, grouper have moved into 20 to 40 feet of water. Mackerel are everywhere, attacking the baitfish schools. Some kingfish and bonito have been seen.

FLY FISHING: If you have never caught a bonito on a fly rod, you have been missing out. Talk a bout a fight. You might find a school of bonito around the Skyway, maybe even on the inside.