Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DOUG HEMMER
Published September 21, 2005

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute reports Red Tide along the coast of southwest Florida has moved southward and now extends from Pinellas County to Collier County. Water samples collected this week from northern Pinellas County contained no Karenia brevis, the zooplankton that causes Red Tide. However, water samples collected offshore of Clearwater contained up to medium concentrations of Karenia brevis. The highest concentrations were found in lower to mid Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay. To keep informed on areas affected by Red Tide, go to www.myfwc.com and click on current Ride Tide status.

Bait can be found along the new Skyway. They are hanging in the deeper parts of the bridge. You will need to chum the school with fast sinking chum. Mix beach sand and corn meal with some jack mackerel to get your chum to sink quickly to the bottom. Stay far enough upcurrent from the spot where you marked the bait so your net has time to reach the bottom. If you anchor too close to the bait, your net will drift over the bait school. The south pier is also holding good sized bait. Look for a spot where the birds are hanging and nobody is fishing. Do not anchor and throw a net where fishing lines from the pier are present.

Schools of redfish are running the edge of the sand bar on the east side of the bay. The best action is when the school is moving slow. Try to keep the school in your area by throwing out large quantities of live chum. On most days the school will be moving quickly and blow right past the boat without hitting a bait.

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

[Last modified September 21, 2005, 00:24:18]