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Captain's corner

By MIKE MANNING

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 7, 2000

With cold fronts passing every few days, fishing has been unpredictable. The shallow flats along the coast are drastically affected by the cold temperatures and high winds.

The gulf temperature may be 65 degrees, but the flats may be in the mid-50s. The best fishing has been on warmer days. The flats will warm up as fast as they cool off.

During winter months, we have several species to catch. Some are not just fun to catch, they are also good table fare, such as pompano and trout. Pompano have been in schools at power plants and on the flats near the power plant.

One of the best ways to catch pompano is with a small yellow jig tipped with shrimp. Remember these fish are strong, so you need a jig with a strong hook.

Trout have been on flats that are somewhat protected by north winds, such as behind Green Key, Anclote Key and Howard Park.

Use live shrimp under a popping cork or a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce jig with a silver 6-inch plastic jerk bait.

As for fish that are not as good to eat but are a blast to catch, that would be jack crevalle and ladyfish. You can fish for ladyfish in the mouths of the Anclote and Cotee rivers. They will eat just about anything from flies to jigs and live shrimp.

Amberjacks have gathered near power plants in large schools and will eat anything from top-water plugs to jigs and live shrimp.

- Capt. Mike Manning charters out of Port Richey. He can be reached at (727) 848-0795.

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