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Outdoors
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 31, 2003
January will go down as the third coldest on record. This is easy to believe. Water temperatures still are in the low 50s. Because of heavy rains in December, Tampa Bay is the color of iced tea.
This weekend promises to be much nicer than any we recently have had. Warming air temperatures coupled with light winds should produce ideal conditions. Let's hope this chilly winter will go away and never come back.
Slow fishing should start to improve as things begin to thaw. The cold-tolerant species such as sheepshead, trout, redfish, black drum and flounder can be caught using live shrimp. The residential canals and docks still are holding the greatest concentrations of these fish.
Fishing the docks requires an accurate cast every time. If a slow, methodical approach is used, decent fishing is possible. A medium-sized split shot crimped about a foot up the line coupled with a small stout live bait hook is preferred. Flip the rig under the docks and be ready to set the hook at the first indication of a strike. Cold fish still can be sneaky.
-- Captain Dave Walker charters out of Old Tampa Bay and can be reached at (813) 831-0355.