By JIM LEE
Freshwater.
There have been great catches during the few warm days this week. Big bass and lots of speckled perch make for happy anglers. Watch the weather, when it clears fishing will be gangbusters.
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER: Hong Kong Willie, (813) 770-4794: Catfish are still in the news, with great numbers still being taken. There is nothing better than a fresh fried catfish dinner. Specks are also being taken in the Hillsborough River and the Tampa By-Pass Canal. Fish for specks under heavy weed cover around the bridges.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp, (863) 692-1500: Hot times on the water. Great bass and speckled perch catches were had by all. Live shiners are taking good numbers of bass. Specks are large slabs, with the smaller fish being returned to the water.
LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort guide service, (863) 655-0134: There have been good catches during the weather break. Bass were caught in the 4- to 6-pound range, and there have been a lot of speckled perch catches reported. Next week might not be as good unless the weather improves.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE: J&S Fish Camp, (772) 597-4455: Catfish is the word. A lot of bass and specks are being caught as well, but this is catfish heaven.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge, (352) 793-2061: There have been great speck and bass catches during the warmer weather, with some limits on specks and a lot of bass.
Saltwater
Anglers who went fishing during the weather lull did well, mostly on trout and redfish.
10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin, (239) 695-4420: The flats were great for trout fishing. Cobia are around the buoys in deeper water. On calm days, some of the best trout fishing is on the lower West Coast flats. Snook are out of season.
SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett, (941) 350-9790 or (941) 923-7799: Little Sarasota Bay is still producing great catches of trout and ladyfish, with the trout mostly over 20 inches.
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle, (813) 641-2010: Trout were the only game in town. It seems the sheepshead went deeper, most likely to spawn. The power plants are still good for sharks, cobia or jack crevalle.
WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Trout and a few sheepshead were the best catches this week. During the warm weather, trout were an easy catch.
SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Trout were the best catch of the day. However, they are running large, usually over keeper size. During the warm spell, you could also find a few redfish.
FISHING PIERS: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish for mangrove snapper, redfish, flounder 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: Grouper are out of season in February. Go offshore for a deep-sea-fishing extravaganza. Fish deeper water for mangrove snapper and gray snapper. You might also catch porgies and amberjack (catch-and-release) on longer trips. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches.
GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: The Gandy Bridge is closed to fishing, but the upper bay is producing some whiting and a few redfish and trout.
CLEARWATER to DUNEDIN: Captain Brian Mathey, (727) 667-8291: When the winds subside this weekend, you should have good trout and some redfish catches to brag about. The big trout were almost everywhere and should be back on the flats soon. Fish the shallow waters in the heat of the day.
TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809 or (727) 808-6688: Redfish appeared in many places during the warm spell. Trout were running more than 20 inches in most cases. Some jacks and reds were around the power plant.
KEATON BEACH (Perry): One More Cast guide service, (850) 584-9145: Only a few trout were lucky enough to find our bait this week. However, the black sea bass and grunt were biting offshore in 40 to 49 feet of water.
HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez, (727)-992-9494: Warm breezes meant great catches offshore. You can catch a lot of keeper mangrove snapper, black sea bass and grunt to take home. Grouper catches were good, with plenty of fish to catch and release. This will end in a few days.
FLY FISHING: Trout were fantastic. The trout were schooled on the flats and were very large, most longer than 20 inches. Just blind cast the flats and you can’t miss.