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© St. Petersburg Times, published August 20, 2002
Area bridges have provided good fishing all summer. Mangrove snapper, snook, spadefish, sheepshead, pompano, permit and big black drum are obtainable in these areas.
Many good spots can be fished from land and usually are productive. Shrimp, fiddler crabs or your favorite soft plastic jigs will catch plenty. Sinking your bait to the bottom with a split shot or small egg sinker or a slightly heavier jig head is the most consistent approach. Heavier equipment is helpful in turning fish against the current and keeping them away from the pilings.
Snook are hit or miss on the flats. The best trips have come on days when we have high morning tides. Live greenbacks or shrimp are a good place to start. Chartreuse soft-plastic shad-shaped jigs are a good alternative to live bait.
Speckled trout are on the deeper grass patches on most flats in our area. Live shrimp under a float are almost always a deadly combination when fishing for trout.
-- Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call (813) 831-0355.