Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DAVE MISTRETTA
Published February 19, 2006

Before long, bottom fishing in depths of 100 feet will produce better catches. Surface temperatures are a few degrees warmer by the end of the day. After numerous days of sunshine, the Gulf of Mexico will warm slowly along the bottom.

It will take a few weeks of this springlike weather to accelerate the appetites of bottom fish in depths shallower than 100 feet. The ideal temperatures will be more than 68 degrees. Until then, try to be patient. If you see fish on the sonar, sit it out for a while. Eventually a fish or two will swim over and grab a baited hook. Their metabolism is slowed because of the frigid temperatures near the bottom. The fish simply don't need a lot of food to survive.

Pinfish are abundant about a mile from shore. The sandy bottom seems to be holding the bigger schools. Any kind of structure on the sand will hold more bait.

An old crab trap on the bottom is an ideal attractor of these desirable grouper baits. The bell buoys outside the passes are also good places to check.

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

[Last modified February 19, 2006, 01:09:21]