REEL TIME: Spring is in the air

FROM PAGE 20

Gulf, having a rig on board that can handle a big cobia or kingfish makes good sense and having wire at hand in case toothy kingfish and Spanish mackerel make an appearance can make or break a day.

If you’re fishing the Gulf and bait isn’t showing on the surface, try fishing areas where they congregate, like artificial reefs, rocks, and ledges. I like to work a top water plug or fly over structure and have often found fish where there was no outward sign of their presence. In the bay, work the areas of the flats on the outside seams of grass flats and the edges and ends of sandy potholes. Pay particular attention to deep grass that’s often present at the end of a pothole and work your casts into the area by casting short and then progressing right over the hole. Top water plugs and flies are particularly effective when waters warm and can be an invaluable aid in finding action. Whatever your fishing style or whether you like fishing the Gulf or bays, take advantage of this swing time and you might just be rewarded with the promise of spring.

Keith McClintock, of Lake Forest, Illinois, fished a couple of trips with me in Gasparilla Sound and Tampa Bay. Stephen Liska, of Naples, joined Keith in Gasparilla Sound and caught and released several snook, trout and a red to complete his slam on CAL jigs with shad tails. Jack McCulloch, of Lakewood Ranch, fished Tampa Bay with Keith and they caught and released several snook and a red on CAL jigs with shad tails.

Jerry Poslusny, of Palmetto, and Rich Hunter, of Longboat Key, snook fished in the ICW at night with me recently and had some action catching and releasing several snook on Grassett Snook Minnow flies and CAL jigs with shad tails.

Look for reds and trout in skinny water. Deep grass flats are usually a good option for action with trout, blues, pompano, Spanish mackerel and more. Snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should also be a good option now.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides and other algae blooms fueled by residential, industrial and agricultural runoff, toxic spills and intentional releases, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!