When planning trips offshore, remember the weather forecast is just a prediction. Have a backup plan ready in the event 4-5 foot waters show after the forecast called for 1-2 feet. This was the case this past weekend as wind and rain hampered many angling trips.

Sunday, we opted to check out the inshore bite. Starting at the lower Skyway, we were greeted by schools of bait being thrashed by Spanish mackerel and bluefish. (As part of the homeland security program, the U.S. Coast Guard has placed a 100-foot security zone around the pilings supporting the main span of the Skyway.) The west wind had muddied the water considerably and after a few hours we decided to head for the grassflats.

Bluefish again dominated, hitting just about anything that entered the water. A fast retrieve accounted for most hits as these fish were interested in something moving quickly. Be careful removing the hook from these toothy predators.

Last week, the red grouper bite was hot at the 100-foot mark. If our summer weather pattern returns to normal, look for them to be active in those depths.

-- Capt. Chuck MacIntyre runs Vortex Charters out of Treasure Island and can be reached at (727) 709-9045 or by e-mail at captchuckmac@hotmail.com.

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