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Daily fishing report

It's often been said of using artificial bait that it's wise to match the size and color to the live bait that is available.

The same is true when gathering live bait.

For whitebait like small scaled sardines and juvenile threadfin hearing, it wouldn't be good to use a bait net with a mesh bigger than a 1/4-inch. Most of the small minnows would end up trapped or with their gills caught in the mesh. Since most of these baits are in relatively shallow water on grassflats, the weight of the net isn't that important, but there should be at least a pound of lead for every foot of net. The size of the net isn't important for this application, but it's wise to have a net at least 8 feet from the horn to the leadline.

Netting regular-size whitebait around bridges and piers requires bigger mesh. Size and weight are more important for this. A 3/8-inch off 1/2-inch mesh is appropriate since the water is usually deeper with more current and because the larger minnows swim faster. Smaller nets would get carried away with the current. A 10-foot net with 1/2-inch mesh is a good start.

For full-size threadfins and sardines, a 12-foot net with 1-inch mesh works. These baits are quick and savvy and will outrun most nets.

-- Captain Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters in St. Petersburg, (727) 510-4376 or e-mail captrick@luckydawg.com

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