Daily fishing report

By DOUG HEMMER
Published July 6, 2005

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Red Tide continues to dominate inshore fishing. Guides are reporting fish kills from Sarasota to Fred Howard Park. The most affected area is John's Pass, where more than 100 dead snook floated near the docks and piled along the rock jetties. The bloom has moved into Tampa Bay as far as the Gandy Bridge.

If you're targeting snook, redfish and trout, try areas north of Fred Howard Park, north of the Howard Frankland Bridge and most of the creeks and rivers that lead away from Tampa Bay. The best bait is a live shrimp. Most of the bait shops that line areas that have Red Tide will be able to keep shrimp alive in their tanks.

Some of your best action will be mackerel, sheepshead and trout. I have seen good numbers of sheepshead working the rock piles in areas that have Red Tide. Mackerel will be near the bait schools in the northern parts of Tampa Bay. Trout can be found north of the Dunedin causeway and over the deep grass flats in upper Tampa Bay. I recommend catch-and-release fishing during times of Red Tide.

When searching for action in areas you have never fished, it's best to use artificial lures. In the early morning, work top-water plugs near mangroves, spoil islands and grass flats that have surface action. When you find a spot that produces strikes, work that area with a free-lined shrimp. Birds will also indicate places where you can try your luck. Look for cormorants feeding and gulls hovering over the water. When they have bait to feed on, there are probably fish feeding in the same area.

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