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Hungry fish really loveugly weather

Winter is moving into our area with a bang. Cold fronts bring high winds, erratic barometric levels and cooler water temperatures.

Pay attention to the location and speed of upcoming fronts. When a cold front approaches, barometric levels drop, skies become cloudy and winds begin to blow. This is the best time to fish. Hungry fish love to feed in ugly weather. On the back side of the front, winds will increase even more and the barometer will rise. Look for action to slow after a front has moved through the area.

Flats fishing is starting to light up. Pods of whitebait still can be found on the edges of the flats and around the channel markers. Snook, redfish, cobia and trout are filling the back bays on the east side of Tampa Bay. Those who take the time to catch live bait will have the advantage. Chumming will turn these fish on when they otherwise won't hit a bait or artificial.

High tides make getting into the back country a bit easier, but the action usually starts on the outgoing tide. Winter tides are extremely low and fast moving. Don't get caught high and dry. Move out of the back areas as the water level drops. At low tide, look for pockets of water deep enough to hold fish.

Residential canals are a wintertime hideaway for big trout, with a few reds and snook mixed in. The best action can be found in canals that have deep water and little tidal movement. The water temperature will be warmer and the fish will be more accommodating.

Sheepshead, snapper and grouper will be hanging over the rock piles in the bay and on the drop-off in the shipping channel. Fresh-cut shrimp works great in the winter. Chum the area with shrimp before starting to fish.

The kingfish run still is going strong. Reports of kingfish are coming in from the north. That means the run still may come through our area in large numbers. Clearwater to Tarpon Springs was holding the largest number of kingfish. Look for kings to start pushing south this weekend. If red-tide levels stay low, the kings will move over the artificial reefs off St. Pete Beach and into the ship channel. Grouper will be in the same area as the kings.

The waters just off the beach are full of mackerel, bluefish, trout, jacks and ladyfish. Jigs have been the big producer. Hot pink and orange are the colors that seam to draw the most strikes. Look for birds or surface action before fishing.

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

Fishing

(All phone numbers begin with 727 unless noted)

FISHING REGULATIONS: Spotted Sea Trout opens in the South region January 1.

UPCOMING: Tampa Pro Bass Spring Tournament Series, Jan. 6, Lake Istokpoga, first tournament of the 2002 series, 789-0525.

Seminars

SATURDAY: Fly-casting, Bill Jackson's, 576-4169.

SATURDAY: Fly-casting, World Class Outfitters, (813) 968-3736.

SATURDAY: Fly-casting, Saltwater Fly Fisherman, Clearwater, 443-5000.

WEDNESDAY: Fly-casting, women only, Saltwater Fly Fisherman, Clearwater, 443-5000.

WEDNESDAY: Trout fishing with Ray Markham, Hurricane Pass Anglers Club, Home Port Marina, Ozona, 785-3018.

Boating

TONIGHT: USF Sail Club meeting, Bayboro Campus, 821-4840.

TODAY-SUNDAY: Snipe Dead of Winter Regatta, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 822-3873.

SATURDAY: Safe Boating Course, Clearwater, 462-6368.

TUESDAY: Safe-boating course, St. Petersburg, 898-8774.

WEDNESDAY: Boating skills and seamanship course, Tampa, (813) 835-4118.

THURSDAY: Safe-boating course, Madeira Beach, 587-7873.

THURSDAY: Safe-boating course, St. Pete Beach, 867-3088.

Etc.

DAILY: Boyd Hill Nature Park tram tour, 893-7326.

SATURDAY: Guided hike, Brooker Creek Preserve; 943-4003.

SATURDAY: Weedon Island Preserve Guided Walk, 3 miles, reservations required, 217-7208.

SATURDAY: Annual Hernando Xmas Bird Count, Hernando Audubon Society, (352) 592-4949.

SUNDAY: Exercise Walk, Lettuce Lake Park, Tampa, Florida Trail Association, (813) 899-0666 or (813) 920-0702.

-- Send information to Outdoors, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. All items must be typed and arrive 10 days before the event. Include event name, time, address and phone number.

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