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Outdoors

Daily fishing report

Be prepared to spring into action.

By MIKE WHITMAN
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 28, 2003

The fishing scene is almost right. The last remnants of winter are fading and spring will arrive soon. Offshore water temperatures are in the mid-to-upper 60s -- a good 6 degrees higher than a week ago. Milder nights, warmer days and calmer winds are setting the stage for that much-anticipated explosion of bay and gulf action.

Big pods of Spanish sardines have been found in 120 feet. This will continue to bring black grouper closer to shore from deep-water spawning grounds. Look for keeper gags up to 25 pounds, as well as mangrove snapper to 7 pounds on ledges, springs and reefs. Trolling or drifting live blue runners over the springs and wrecks has produced amberjack in the 50-pound range.

Spanish mackerel are showing up near shore, meaning kingfish are not far behind. Look for massive schools of kings to invade beaches, passes and reefs as close as a mile off the sand. Just after first light, clouds of birds often are shrieking and diving over pods of baitfish. This indicates kingfish and mackerel are feeding below.

Another springtime favorite -- blackfin tuna -- should arrive soon in strong numbers. Look for these voracious predators behind anchored shrimp boats, which provide a giant chum station when crewmen toss out the by-catch culled from their nets. Ease up to the stern of an anchored shrimper, set out two or three flat-lined live baits and one deep on a downrigger.

The gulf loop current has dipped in as close as 100 miles off St. Petersburg. This proximity of warm, blue water recently produced a blue marlin weighing more than 400 pounds. Billfish action exists year-round in the gulf, but weather conditions often prohibit the 100-plus mile run. When seas allow the journey, softhead lures or large-rigged ballyhoo are the top producers.

Inshore waters are warming rapidly, and healthy schools of scaled sardines have arrived. Warm water and plenty of food should spark up snook and redfish action. Look for snook along channel edges, mangrove shorelines and any other ambush points. Likely redfish spots include oyster bars, docks and potholes in the grass beds. Tarpon are showing throughout Tampa Bay. Look for flashes of silver as the fish roll at the surface. Try plug casting, live baiting and -- on windless days -- fly fishing.

Another week or two of warm, calm days should be all we need to pop the cork on this bottle of fishing potential. Check the tides for optimal water flow and make plans to enjoy spring's spectacular kickoff.

-- Mike Whitman charters the Mega Bite out of Gulfport. Call (727) 384-5729 or e-mail at capt@megabitecharters.com.

-- Send information to Outdoors, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. All items must be typed and arrive 10 days before the event. Include event name, address and phone number.

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