Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DOUG HEMMER
Published May 12, 2005

The hot redfish action of past weeks has started to slow.

Most of these areas have had a tremendous amount of fishing pressure. When large numbers of boats work the same area day after day, the fish will find a new place to school. The past few trips have started strong, but after a few hours of action, the school would slowly move out of the area.

A few tips on fishing a crowded area may help keep the reds on a steady bite. When entering a group of boats, use a push pole or trolling motor set on low. Look for a spot to anchor that's more than a few casts from other boats. Stay in that area until the fish come to you. Constant idling or running a trolling motor will upset the school. When this is happening, everybody will catch less fish. If the schools don't feel comfortable in that area, they will move to a new location.

When the redfish shut down, we turn our attention to trout. Most of the action has been during the last of the incoming tide. The trout are hanging on the drop-off of the flats when the tide is moving slow. On strong tidal flows, look for the trout to move farther up on the flats. A corked white bait or a float and jig combination will produce trout from 1 to 5 pounds. Look for areas that have bird action or bait schools hanging on the surface. Don't drop the anchor until you find good numbers of trout. This can be done by drifting the inside and outside of the flats. When you start catching trout, drop the hook.

Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.

[Last modified May 12, 2005, 00:31:16]