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Daily fishing report

Finding clear water inshore is challenging but not impossible. When you find it, you won't have to look far for fish.

Spanish mackerel quickly will devour any fast artificial bait thrown their way. Silver spoons, topwater plugs and jigs get plenty of attention. Don't be surprised if a bluefish wallops your offering too, as these feisty fish hang with the macks and pull almost as hard as a jack crevalle.

Speckled trout action has been great when the tide has been moving. It doesn't matter which direction it's moving. It's best to fish grass flats in 3-4 feet with patchy sand bottom. Holographic jig tails on 1/16th-ounce spring-lock heads will get all the bites you want.

Mangrove snapper can't seem to resist a whitebait (scaled sardines) or threadfin. Bridges, rock piles and the edges of the shipping channel are places to find mangroves. Plan outings around the slack tide. Since mangroves are the most wary of all snapper, it's not a bad idea to use fluorocarbon leader.

There's plenty of whitebait and threadfins on the flats to net. Chumming isn't necessary, just look for the bait on the surface. Since the bait is running small, it's a good idea to use a 1/4-inch mesh net so the bait isn't gilled.

-- Capt. Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 510-4376 or by e-mail at captrick@luckydawg.com.

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