Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DAVE WALKER
Published February 27, 2005

The transitional nature of fishing this time of year can frustrate Tampa Bay area anglers.

Fish are on the move, and they are especially fickle. An extra dose of patience and determination is required for consistent catches.

Snook are emerging from the backwaters and are starting to feed. For anglers who can't wait, the mouths of feeder creeks and rivers are a good place to look for them.

If the tide allows, explore small lagoons and bays off the beaten path. These can be stellar if undisturbed. Though usually very shallow, these spots often have cuts created by tides. Careful navigation is required to prevent scrapes to a boat's gel coat and accidental groundings. It's a good idea to know the tides on the day you fish. Having the tide drop quickly, especially after a hot snook bite, can lead to a long evening with no way out of a fishing spot.

If available, live sardines are hard to beat for bait. They have started to arrive in some areas and will continue to infiltrate the bay.

Redfish are moving onto the flats and out of deeper water. They will become increasingly available as the weather continues to warm. Look for schools of mullet, because if you find them the redfish won't be far behind.

Trout are active in the bay and northern areas. On a recent trip near Clearwater we had a bluefish eat a hooked trout next to the boat. One would have sworn that the blue would have let go of the trout, as it was almost coming out of the water and into the boat. The trout eventually was severed. I had never witnessed this from a bluefish.

All fish caught on that trip were fooled by soft-plastic jigs. A silver and green pattern worked best.

Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call 813 310-6531 or e-mail www.snookfish.com

[Last modified February 27, 2005, 00:13:19]