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Daily fishing report

Trout action in lower Tampa Bay is showing signs of life. Red Tide and warm water are slowing the big schools of gator trout from moving into the area. The flats northeast of the main channel have the cleanest water and bigger trout. At high tide, trout work the thick grass near the mangroves. As the tide falls, follow the schools off the flats.

In deep grass use a large shad tail jig with gold or silver sides. Cast and retrieve just above the grass while keeping the rod tip up. Every five or six cranks twitch the rod tip short and hard, turning the lure on its side to catch sun rays that make the lure flash in a natural way.

At low tide work the edges of the flats. Drag strawberry slugger tails around the small grass piles to produce trout from 1-4 pounds. The best action will be during the strongest movement of the tide. It's catch and release until January in Tampa Bay.

Grouper fishing in the bay can heat up when Red Tide lingers along the beach. We found large numbers of gags in the ship channel far north of the Skyway bridge. They are 6-10 pounds and strong enough to swim away from the areas that have Red Tide. Trolling is the best way to catch keepers. Use a No. 3 planer and a large gold crank bait. Slacking tides seem to work better than fast moving water. Mark spots on your GPS. Return with pinfish or grunts and bottom fish that area.

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

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