A nearly two-week string of below average temperatures put a damper on fishing, but the recent warm up has triggered speckled perch and bass to start feeding again.

Lake Kissimmee anglers fishing out of Grape Hammock had an excellent weekend working the channel and the southern end of the lake. Limits of good-sized fish were caught in the deepest holes and several fishermen found the bridge and river to be very productive.

Kissimmee bass catches were also on the rebound with a couple 10-pound plus fish caught on shiners. It will take a week of normal temperatures to bring the bass bite back, but if things stay as they are, expect a good bass catches by the upcoming weekend.

Spawning bass showed up on Lake Toho last full moon according to Toho guide Bill Whipple. He had numerous 20-plus fish days before the cold snap but things are improving and Whipple expects the next full moon to be gangbusters. Large shiners have been the easiest way to hook a wall hanger, but soft plastics sight casted on beds will also aggravate the big females to bite.

Around Lakeland, Teneroc has been fair to good with specks being the easiest catch. Minnows are the bait of choice though some using beetle-spins are also filling their coolers. Bass catches like everywhere else were slow but anticipation of better days and trophy fish have anglers excited.

On the saltwater side, lots of roe mullet can still be caught on the flats. An outgoing tide has been best, as the fish tend to stack under the mangroves on the high water tides. Good trout catches were reported in the bay north of the Manatee River. Live shrimp with the tails trimmed are catching most the fish or D.O.A. shrimp under a popping cork will also work.

Mark Cook can be reached at tribfishing@aol.com .