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By MIKE MANNING
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 14, 2001
Springlike temperatures the past week have warmed the flats approximately 10 degrees. This has sparked the local game fish. Redfish and snook are moving from their winter homes, looking for an easy meal. As the sun warms the flats you will spot them sunning in shallow water in mid-afternoons.
Look for redfish in small schools near the mouths of creeks. The best baits have been shrimp and creek chubs under a float. Take a stealth approach; these fish are spooky. Keep a safe distance and make a long cast.
Snook are not roaming too far from their winter havens. You may spot them near the mouths of rivers, creeks and residential canals. You can use artificial bait such as topwater plugs or a 1/4-ounce jig, or live bait such as shrimp and greenbacks. The snook will become more active as the water warms.
The best action has been trout -- they are all over the flats. Look on grassy flats with sandy potholes in 2-6 feet of water. Most of the action has been on 1/4-ounce jigs. Take several colors of tails. The trout may change their preferred color throughout the day. On a recent trip, Glen Long of Atlanta boated more than 40 between 15-22 inches.
-- Mike Manning charters out of Port Richey. Call (727) 848-0795.