Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DOUG HEMMER
Published November 8, 2006

What's hot: Cooler water will spark the trout bite. Grass flats from 6 feet to less than a foot will begin to see larger schools. Target the flats north of the Dunedin causeway and the potholes that line the east side and upper parts of Tampa Bay. The once-famous trout fishery at Fort De Soto Park has not recovered from last year's Red Tide. Those who stumble across trout in this area should release them to restock the flats.

Tackle: Ultra-light rods and small spinning reels work best on trout. The rods should be 7 to 8 feet for added casting distance. Reels need to have a full spool of 6- to 10-pound mono or braided line. The full spool will allow you to cast farther. Most plugs, jigs, jerk baits and corked live baits work well. Use fluorocarbon leaders in the 10- to 20-pound class. Use the lighter leaders when the water is clear.

Tips from the pro: At sunup use topwater plugs. As the sun rises, switch to a jig or jerk bait. Drift the flats until you locate a school. This is when you might want to switch to live bait. The best action is when the tide has strong movement. Keep jigs low and slow across the bottom. Most trout will be where the grass meets the sand. Pinching down the barbs on your hooks makes it easy to release undersized trout. Trout season is closed south of Fred Howard Park until Jan. 1.

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

[Last modified November 8, 2006, 02:30:41]