Low water temperatures continue to trouble anglers, but the frigid weather the past two months is about to let up, at least briefly. Meteorologists predict warmer weather, into the 70s, early this week. But until everything gets back to normal, expect things to be slow.

South of Egmont Channel, the temperatures are holding a few degrees higher, helping anglers bring in grouper.

Unless sheepshead meets your fancy, waters north of Clearwater have little to offer. The annual sheepshead spawn should take place next month, so appetites are increasing. These tasty fish are one of the few species impervious to cold water, and they can be found at most bridges and jetties.

Baits that have been working best for sheepshead are crabs, oysters and barnacles. A helpful hint -- when using oysters, brine them after shucking. Throw ice and seawater into a bucket and mix with a heavy salt solution (table salt will work). After a few minutes the soft bodies of the oysters will become firm, making the bait stay on the hook.

These baits are easily accessible by scraping any rocky structure with a shovel. Schools of sheepshead can be corraled to the back of your boat in minutes by chumming with the broken shells from shucked oysters. Take a hammer to break the shells to smaller bits, and don't worry about the noise from the hammering. Sheepshead couldn't care less after smelling free food.

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

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