Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DAVE MISTRETTA
Published March 13, 2005

Anglers can capitalize on large flounder while bottom fishing. Reports have come from all depths, with those in deeper water weighing 3 to 5 pounds.

These bigger fish congregate by the hundreds on offshore structures in February and March. Sandy bottom is the key to finding big flounder. The reason the Betty Rose, Indian Shores, Rube Allen and Veterans reefs are so productive is because a lot of the structure was dropped on big sand dunes.

Flounder, with their unusual body shape, lay flat on the bottom, covering themselves with sand. Their eyes barely protrude from the sand as they prepare to pounce on unsuspecting shrimp or small baitfish.

A live shrimp is the best bait, but a small pinfish or grunt about the size of a silver dollar or a strip of any type of fish fillet can be productive. Slice the fillet with the skin on into strips about 3 inches long and an inch wide. Place the hook at the end of the strip so that it wiggles like a worm in the current.

A 12-inch leader helps keep the baited hook closer to the bottom. Slowly drag the bait along the bottom to thoroughly cover an area. Flounder are spawning and will be huddled together on the sand dunes.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call 727 595-3276, or e-mail jawstoo@msn.com

[Last modified March 13, 2005, 00:23:15]