Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By KENNY HYATT
Published October 11, 2006

Passing cold fronts and an extremely bright full moon might have shut the bite down for some local bay anglers the past week or so, but anglers can expect great fishing in the near future. Winter low tides will congregate snook, redfish and trout in slightly deeper troughs adjacent to large flats, making the fishing some of the best to be had. Work these areas slowly with pilchards or soft plastics on the start of the incoming tide, then follow the fish to their high tide haunts.

Anglers fishing the Gandy Bridge region continue to catch mangrove snapper and pompano, but the cooler weather should make room for the monster trout around the pilings of the bridge. Fish live shrimp about 3 feet under a popping cork and let the rig drift around the pilings. This fishery will get better as the water continues to cool. Another great early trout area is the large flat the runs the entire length of the eastern shore between the Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges. Fish the potholes and docks behind the houses with light tackle and live shrimp, and beware of the giant snook that frequent the area.

Remember to check your seasons as the fishing heats up. Trout season is closed in the south region during November and December.

Kenny Hyatt charters the FishHog out of Tampa and can be reached at 813 245-3122 or at khyatt1@tampabay.rr.com.

[Last modified October 11, 2006, 01:43:05]