Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DOUG HEMMER
Published July 6, 2006

Fishing conditions in the Fort DeSoto area have become difficult. The large schools of redfish have been replaced with small schools spread out across the area. The worst part is the dead moss grass on the surface. The water from Indian Key to Tarpon Key has so much moss, it's hard to spot the redfish, and when you do locate a few the moss is so thick you can't make a cast without fouling your bait. If you do find a spot where the moss is thin, cast a free-lined shrimp to the reds and wait until one picks up the bait before setting the hook.

Most of the snook action is in the passes during a strong outgoing tide. Whitebait, sardines and small threadfins will work on the smaller snook, but the large ones will want a large pinfish or threadfin free-lined in the swash channel. The swash is the dropoff from the edge of the beach to about 10 to 15 feet. Cast the bait upcurrent and let the tide bring it back to the fish. Most of these areas will not have structure the snook can use to cut you off, so you can use 10- to 20-pound test and a 30-pound leader when fishing the area.

The best action has been inside the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Mackerel, bluefish and sharks are over the 6-foot grass flats just inside the bridge. The bigger mackerel and sharks are closer to the Pier. Look for birds working the surface close to a range marker or tower. A frozen block of chum will draw the macks and sharks close to your boat.

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

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 06:30:55]