Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By ED WALKER
Published January 24, 2005

Cold air will make flats fishing difficult the next several days. For those who do not mind casting in the cold, there will be decent action in the upper reaches of area creeks and rivers.

Traveling from the gulf far up the Anclote River not only produces fish on the coldest days, it is a scenic trip through undeveloped woods and wilderness.

Idling through the woods to catch snook and redfish from holes along the river bank or under fallen pine trees is a great getaway. Most productive stretches are well protected from the northerly winds, making temperatures more bearable.

At this time of year, most fish converge at the deepest portions of the waterway. Generally that is at sharp bends in the river. Any deep hole is worth a few casts. By watching the screen on your depth finder, you not only can pinpoint deep spots, you can see features such as ledges and submerged trees that might hold snook or redfish.

Juvenile tarpon and big jack crevalle inhabit the upper Anclote many miles inland. The jacks and tarpon often are over natural springs, where the water is slightly warmer. Some spring outlets are small holes in the bottom with minimal flow, but that can be all it takes. Depending on how far inland you travel, you might even catch a snook or tarpon on one cast and a largemouth bass on the next.

--Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs. Call 727 944-3474 or e-mail info@lighttacklecharters.com

[Last modified January 24, 2005, 01:32:09]