By JIM LEE, The Tampa Tribune Posted 11.20.09

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Saltwater
Windy weather prevailed this week, but it won’t last forever. Sheepshead are moving in and will keep many anglers busy. The sheepshead bonanza will start this month. Kingfish are here, but the weather has curtailed this activity and turbulent waters could keep the bulk of them far offshore. Mackerel like clear water to and will be back when the water clears and bait moves back in. Flounder, bluefish, redfish, jack crevalle and ladyfish are in our waters when the weather allows us on the water.

10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: If you can get to the backwaters in the windy weather you probably will do well on snook. Night fishing for snook in the backwaters is good with artificial lures.

SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: Snook alley in Venice is getting better. Snook are beginning to bite better. Mostly small shrimp flies or Grassett’s flies are taking the snook. Bluefish, redfish, jack crevalle and trout are the easy catches. Trout are getting bigger.

RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Snook are biting better. Mangrove snapper, sheepshead and trout are being caught. Live bait rules, but trout and mackerel will take a lure or trolled baits.

WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Mangrove snapper, redfish, flounder, sheepshead and perhaps even mackerel will be available in the lower bay next week.

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Snook are eating better. Redfish are the hot target at the creek mouths and up the creeks. Fish the moving tide for snook with live pinfish.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Snook, redfish and trout are the main targets inshore. Fish the mangroves with jigs and MirrOlures for snook. Big trout are beginning to move in.

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, redfish, flounder, mackerel and even a stray 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 grouper, mangrove snapper and gray snapper (grunt). You also might catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches of amberjack and big mangrove snapper.

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. Snook, black drum, redfish and mackerel are in the bay. Fish the Weedon Island area for trout and redfish. Ladyfish are everywhere. Live greenbacks will fool anybody.

CLEARWATER TO DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Catching was very good for snook this week. Greenbacks and shrimp will work. Big trout have moved in, running to 26 inches.

TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809 or (727) 808-6688: White bait is scarce, threadfins are abundant. Big trout are showing. Tons of big mackerel are on the flats out to 25 feet. Snook are mostly upriver.

HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Fishing in 8 to 10 feet at Bayport, limits of trout and mackerel are being taken. The 27-foot mark will produce lots of smaller grouper, and the 42-foot mark is where good numbers of keeper-sized red grouper will be found. The 42-foot area is also producing mangrove
snapper. Good keeper gags are in 50 feet.

KEATON BEACH: One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Trout catching has been excellent. Trout and redfish were taken on live pins under Cajuns and MirrOlures No. 21. As always, a few people fish regardless of the wind and they usually do well. However, be careful if you venture out in the wind. Fish live pinfish under a Cajun Thunder for best results.

HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Grouper fishing is great. Red and gag grouper are from 25 feet to 42 feet. Keeper gags are a little deeper. Meanwhile, red grouper, cobia, mangrove snapper and mackerel are available.

FLY FISHING: Oversized redfish are being found and are perfect for a popper or spoon. Snook are biting and are moving from shoreline upriver haunts. Now the large winter trout are moving on to the flats and are perfect for the fly angler. A Clouser fly would be a good pick.







Freshwater
Some areas are reporting great bass catches and catches of specks to 30 fish. The upcoming week is expected to get even better. Bass to 10.5 pounds reported.

HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: River fishing has been great, even with the wind blowing, so fish the river for bass, bluegill and warmouth perch. Catfish are for the taking. Some specks and shellcracker have been caught in the Tampa Bypass Canal.

LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle, (727) 772-0708: High winds only mean better catches next week. This lake is known for good bass fishing with speckled perch to top off a day on the water. Don’t expect big speck numbers yet.

KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Bass fishing has been great. Bass in the 8-pound class and to 10.5 pounds were taken this week. Some anglers took up to 30 speckled perch.

LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Speckled perch are being caught from small schools. Bass catches were not reported, as not many anglers were on the lake. Night fishing is always the easiest way to catch more speckled perch.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE: J & S Fish Camp, (772) 597-4455: Fishing on the lake has been better. No really good catches were reported this week, and no really big bass were taken.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Lots of schooling bass are being caught, with some keepers thrown in. A few scattered specks were reported, with more expected with colder weather.

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