Cold water is the biggest factor in fishing right now. Fishing is lousy when the water is this cold. Current water temperatures would kill a man in a matter of hours; that gives you some idea what fish are dealing with.

You could try the hot water outfall of a power plant. Most have a good concentration of fish. If you don't care to fish in a crowd, you could try the freshwater springs that emerge from underground aquifers into the saltwater. Most are in the north Pinellas and south Pasco area from Palm Harbor to New Port Richey. Juvenile tarpon, big jacks, speckled trout and others gather around these naturally warmed areas when it gets chilly.

To find them, work your way inland up a river or creek on a cold, calm morning and watch for steam or a steady upward boil. A water temperature gauge will confirm if you have found a spring. Rolling tarpon are another sign.

When fishing an inshore spring, I anchor upwind and patiently work live shrimp or plastic tailed jigs into the boil. Juvenile tarpon can be frustrating. They roll around your line without biting, but persistence usually pays off. Jacks and bluefish also spice things up.

You might not bring home dinner, but freshwater springs offer great action when winter conditions are tough.

- Ed Walker charters out of Palm Harbor. Call (727) 944-3474 or e-mail TarponEd@aol.com.

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