By JIM LEE

Freshwater

Rain, rain and more rain makes for tough fishing conditions. For instance, in the Hillsborough River, the fish you used to find in the deeper channels are now spread out in the creeks and flood-water areas, making them harder to find. Higher water in some lakes means you have to find them in the shallows early. But again, they will be spread out more. Even with this past Tuesday’s full moon, bluegill might be harder to find because of the dirty water. It would be good if you already knew where the beds were, because finding them for the first time in dirty water will be hit or miss.

HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: With the higher water, find moving water for best results. Creek run-off areas will be hot. Bluegill can still be found while drifting and “dunking” a live worm or cricket. When you hit, back up and fish the area. You also can drift and let a live shiner drift under built-up flotsam.

KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Bass action was off a little this week because of the rains. However, when the sun comes out again, bass action will be gangbusters. Bluegill action should have been good, and anglers who went out caught limits.

LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Bluegill catches would have been fantastic, but the rain kept a lot of anglers off the lake. Limits are available if you can get to the beds. Live shiners still will catch larger fish when the sun comes out.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Early risers took good catches of bluegill, with a few shellcracker thrown in. The rain curtailed fishing most of the week, though. When the weather clears, you can catch plenty of yearling bass.

Saltwater

We might get to fish and scallop this weekend and next week if the weather clears. However, you might experience dark, cloudy water. If you can get offshore, grouper fishing is good in 50 to 60 feet off Hernando Beach and in 80 feet to deeper off Clearwater. The best offshore catches are in 200 feet or better. Fish the Sunshine Skyway area for redfish, tarpon and mackerel. All this rain might move the tarpon out a little early. Mangrove snapper catches are good. Snook are on the beaches, and scallops are larger as we approach the end of the season. They are still plentiful in most areas.

10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: Redfish and snook continue to be taken on the outside edges and in the back country. Goliath grouper are the easy catch, but remember, it is illegal to take them out of the water. Release them carefully. Tarpon have been in the rivers and creeks, but the constant freshwater run-off might move them out early. We won’t know for a couple of weeks.

SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: Early morning (before daylight) is a great time to catch snook around the lighted docks. Charlotte Harbor had plenty of tarpon last week, but it remains to be seen if they are still here after all the freshwater run-off. Blind-casting in dark water makes it harder to hook up. Snook, trout and redfish can still be taken.

RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Fish the Alafia River for redfish. Pitch live bait under the mangroves for the best results. In a few weeks, the snook will move into this area, too. Mangrove snapper are the steady catch, along with mackerel, which might move out to clearer waters for a few days. Next week will tell us a lot.

WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: The weather has made fishing difficult, but catches were improving at midweek. Live shrimp is the easy bait that always works best. Live shrimp are good to catch mangrove snapper, trout and redfish. Use a small split-shot to keep the shrimp on the bottom for redfish, trout and mangrove snapper.

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Cody’s Bait & Tackle, (813) 884-3100: Live chubs, shrimp or artificial lures will catch redfish. A few snook are still in the area. Release them very carefully, without touching them, to insure they will live to grow bigger.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Tarpon might be available (they were last week), but the next week will tell if they are still around. Redfish are along the mangroves, while snook are on the beaches.

FISHING PIERS: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for mangrove snapper, trout, redfish, flounder and even a stray tarpon or grouper.

MID-PINELLAS PARTY BOATS: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard’s John’s Pass Marina and Kingfish dock, (727) 393-1947: Go offshore for a deep sea fishing extravaganza. Fish the deeper waters for mangrove snapper and gray snapper (grunt). You also might catch porgies and amberjack.

GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: The Gandy Bridge is closed to fishing. However, Gandy Bait and Tackle is the place to go in this area for live bait and tackle. The upper bay is producing mostly tarpon and redfish.

CLEARWATER TO DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: All the rain this week made it difficult to fish, and when anglers could get out, the freshwater run-off made it tough. Snook are on the beaches at daybreak and redfish are available, but you might have to fish low tide to see them tailing. Fish the passes for mackerel. Set up a chum line and use live bait.

KEATON BEACH (PERRY): One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Scalloping was off due to the dark water (freshwater run-off). Some limits were taken, some were not. Trout catches were very good between thunderstorms with live pinfish under Cajun Thunder floats. Trout to 23 inches are still being caught.

HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Mike Craig, (727)-992-9494: Cooler waters will prevail for a few days, making grouper fishing much better. Red grouper are in good supply offshore. Gags are in deeper water. It won’t be long before the gags will be coming back into 40 and 50 feet of water as fall approaches.

FLY FISHING: Tarpon, redfish, snook and mackerel are targets. The weekend looks good as the wind and rain subside.