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Captain's corner

By GARY FOLDEN

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 21, 2000

This week has sent temperatures below normal, which requires fishermen to adjust their tactics.

Inshore, fish will move to the canals, rivers and streams. Warm water discharge areas around power plants should hold fish once again. Lures and live baits should be fished slowly. Fishing can be better in the afternoons, when the sun can raise surface temperatures a few degrees.

Kingfish were trying to trickle back into the Clearwater area before this succession of fronts. Bonito were numerous, keeping anglers in search of kings busy. Spanish mackerel apparently have packed it in for winter, which begins today. Unless we get a prolonged warm spell, kingfishing also may be over until spring.

Bottom fishing has been good when the wind allows access to the Gulf of Mexico. Grouper have been fairly numerous in all depths, with 40 to 60 feet of water most productive. Dead bait seems to work about as well as a live offering. Last week around the full moon, there was a period when grouper were extremely difficult to get to bite. Some days it just doesn't matter where you go or what you fish with, the fish will not be in the mood. It happens this time of year, usually around the major moon phases.

- Gary Folden charters the Strike Zone out of Clearwater Municipal Marina. Call (727) 585-8544

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