The action finally is improving

It appears the long winter is over and the fishing is about to come alive.

Longer sunny days have raised water temperatures to respectable levels. Pilchard herring, glass minnows and other types of baitfish have started to show on the flats, and larger predatory species are advancing from their deep winter retreats.

Trout season opened for the North region, and there are plenty to be caught. Most shallow-water flats are holding. On the low tide, the fish will be congregated especially thick near potholes and small channels.

Just the slightest variation in the bottom may hold large numbers of trout. They will be feeding aggressively as they try to fatten up before their spring spawn.

Casting top-water plugs in 2-3 feet of water will produce the largest trout. These shallow-water fish usually are quite spooky when the water is clear.

Drifting and fanning casts as far from the boat as possible will help in approaching them. If you have problems with weeds, soft plastic jerk baits might not cast as far, but they rarely get fouled.

Redfish are starting to appear on oyster bars and docks in areas where canals and river mouths dump into the Gulf. Live greenback will work well if you can get it, but it isn't necessary. Reds aren't too picky when it comes to forage. Shrimp (live or freshly dead) and cut baits will work just fine.

If you decide to use live bait near an oyster bar or dock, having a float is a good idea. It keeps the line from getting draped around the razor-sharp edges of the shells. Usually, anglers won't know they are caught until there is a bite and the line breaks.

Near a dock, it helps to monitor exactly how far your bait is under the structure. Redfish normally stay just on the down-current side. The idea is to tempt them up current of the pilings with the smell of the offering. Using the float might indicate a bite a fraction sooner if there is slack in the line.

Reaction time is important when fishing near docks because, in most cases, a redfish will try to swim to the other side of the structure immediately after it bites.

Turning the catch before it reaches the pilings often is the difference in landing a trophy and getting broken off.

Offshore, the grouper bite is picking up in shallow depths.

No longer is it necessary to go all the way to the middle grounds to get consistent action.

Reports of nice gag catches in 45-60 feet are becoming more common. Bites are coming on a variety of baits, including frozen sardines and live pinfish.

The first of the mackerel run can be expected within the next few weeks. These toothy speedsters are being caught off south Pinellas.

With an abundance of bait arriving and the speed at which these fish can travel, it shouldn't be long until they start showing up off the North Suncoast.

The fishing finally is starting to improve. In fact, it already is quite good.

As the water temperature increases, the fish that starved all winter should continue to feed aggressively.

Getting out before the fishing pressure slows the feeding will produce some of the year's best action.

Capt. Pete Katsarelis charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at (727) 439-3474 or by e-mail at inshoreadventure@aol.com.

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