Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DAVE ZALEWSKI
Published September 20, 2006

There are almost 30 great fishing sites near shore that won't leave you with a big fuel bill. The mitigation reefs located 100 to 900 yards from shore and strung out from just north of the Redington Long Pier to Sand Key provide higher profile in 12 to 15 feet of water than many of the ledges that we fish offshore in 100 feet of water. They are called mitigation reefs because they were designed to replace or enhance reefs that were damaged by siltation from beach renourishment.

Last year's Red Tide killed off much of the growth that had covered much of the older reefs to the point where they looked like healthy natural reefs. Some of this growth has made a comeback and sheepshead, mangrove snapper and triggerfish have returned.

Spanish mackerel fishing has been excellent all summer on these reefs. Large sport fishermen are trolling for mackerel and soon for kingfish and cobia when the water cools. Along with other boats in all size ranges ,because of the low cost of accurate handheld portable GPS units, the reefs can be found by kayakers.

Check pubgis.co.pinellas.fl.us/pcuweb_live/solid_waste/reef/inshore-reefs.pdf for reef information.

Contact Dave Zalewski at Luckytoo2@aol.com

[Last modified September 20, 2006, 01:42:22]