By JIM LEE, The Tampa Tribune Posted 1.29.10

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Saltwater
Better weather means better catches. Upper Tampa Bay’s snook population was devastated by the recent freeze. Snook are on the banks and in the mangroves everywhere you look. Ramps were clogged with dead snook. What normally would be a weed line formed by the wind was a dead snook line. Jacks, a few catfish and mullet were also found dead. However the bulk of the fish kill was snook. It might take three to five years to regain the population. When catching a snook in the future, try not to touch the fish. Unhook it with your pliers to insure the fish’s survival. Good numbers of redfish and trout are being found throughout the Bay area.

10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: Trout and sheepshead are the prime catches, with a few redfish thrown in. As the weather warms, some of the deep-water snook will begin to show. These are generally larger fish that will replenish the snook population.

SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: Little Sarasota Bay and Sarasota Bay are run over with spotted sea trout. Trout, ladyfish and a few redfish are being caught. Fish the potholes and drops for the larger trout, which are eating Clouser flies and jigs.

RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Fish the power plant just after the front comes through for cobia and shark. However, sheepshead are a prime target for anglers. Simmons Park is sheepshead headquarters along with silver and speckled trout.

ALAFIA RIVER: Alafia River Bait & Tackle, Joe Williams, (813) 677-2575: Speckled sea trout, silver trout and redfish are the principle catches. Fish the power plant for cobia and sharks. Fish the Kitchen area for redfish, trout and whiting. The snook kill was very bad.

WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Sheepshead and trout are the prime targets. Lots of silver trout have moved into the bay, as well as spotted sea trout. Catches will improve with the weather.

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Lots of snook were lining the shoreline all over the Bay last week. The ramps also have dead snook washed up on them. Redfish and whiting will be the best catch in the upper bay.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Cotee root beer color jigs are taking reds and trout on the flats. Fly anglers are having a great time with the high numbers of trout, and some of them are very large. Reds are also a good catch.

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, redfish and trout are in the upper bay.

CLEARWATER TO DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: Better weather has brought out the trout and reds on the flats. The water is still warming, so plan to dodge the rain and cold for a good trout fishing trip. There are lots of schooling reds on the flats.

TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809 or (727) 808-6688: Big trout and good numbers of redfish on the flats will keep you very busy. Upriver you might find a stray snook or river tarpon. This time of year trout are better taken on jigs, jerk baits, plugs and flies.

HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois, (352) 666-6234: Offshore anglers will catch grouper in 50 feet of water, along with some black sea bass and grunt. Trout will be out of season in this area as of Feb. 1.

KEATON BEACH (PERRY): One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Trout will be off limits in February, so this is the last weekend. If you go fishing in this area, fish a live pinfish, live shrimp or Assassin plastic lure under a Cajun float in 2 to 4 feet of water. Fish the rising tide. Offshore, big black sea bass and grouper to 11 pounds were taken in about 50 feet of water.

HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727) 992-9494: Big grouper and lots of grunt and some mangrove snapper can be found in these offshore waters. Red and gag grouper are available. Frozen sardines or threadfin herring are what to use for grouper and other fish.

FLY FISHING: Now is the time to have a wild time catching big trout on the flats from Clearwater to Hernando Beach. You also will run into schools of redfish, which might really test that 5- or 6-weight rod. Or, if you fish with an 8-weight, you won’t have much trouble.








Freshwater
Speckled perch are the news, and there are lots of them. With the cooler weather they are bunching up in larger schools before they spawn. Bass catches in some areas have gotten better, with larger and more fish caught. Catfish catches are excellent from the Hillsborough River to Lake Okeechobee.

HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: Looks like a great week to fish the river. Bass should be almost jumping in the boats. If the weather stays warm awhile, the bass might go on the beds and that means big fish. Catfish are still a great catch and fantastic on the dinner plate. Speckled perch are bunching up better, so expect better numbers.

KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Specks have broken out and are being caught in better numbers. Limits are being taken by many anglers. Bass action is also good.

LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: Night fishing for specks is still the best game, but they are beginning to bunch up better, which means day catches are improving. Fish the deeper waters as it’s a little early for them to spawn in the grass. Bass anglers are taking high numbers of bass and some heavier fish, from 6 to 9 pounds.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE: J & S Fish Camp, (772) 597-4455: Speckled perch catches are improving. However, many are still taking high numbers of catfish. There is nothing better than fingerling catfish on the dinner plate. Bass anglers using live shiners are doing well.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: Specks are not in large numbers, but you can catch a meal or two easily. Bass anglers are getting better results than usual. Live shiners should insure a decent catch in this cold weather month.