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By DOUG HEMMER
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 13, 2001
The next fishing trip you take can be planned on your computer. Local information on tides and moon phases can be found in your newspaper. On your computer, get an aerial photo of the spot you're going to fish. Web sites like terraserver.microsoft.com have photos that zoom close enough to see your favorite pothole. Print the photo with the tides and solunar tables for the day you're fishing. You'll have information and a view of the area that surrounds the one you normally fish.
Local game fish that leave for the winter have returned. Snook are feeding well in upper Tampa Bay for those who get live bait. Redfish are schooling on the flats during high tide. Most schools are spooky when the water is less than 2 feet. The best way to approach the area you are fishing is to drift in using a push pole. The quiet drift will let you get closer to the school and keep the fish in a feeding mood.
Big trout are slamming top-water lures at sun-up. Look for them on dropoffs as the tide comes in. Most are still close to the edges of the flats and strike any jig that comes their way. In March, trout and sheepshead have roe. Release big females so they can restock our waters.
- Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.