02-18-2001, 05:17 PM
Capt. Kevin Chamberlain<br><br>Several days of warmer weather has the fish biting and the water temperatures rising from Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor. Though the Gulf water temperature might be in the upper 60's, the backcountry temps are up to around 70 to 72 degrees early, and rising to 76 degrees by mid-afternoon. Yesterdays front may produce a slight drop, but shouldn't have much effect on the fishing.<br> <br>The best action in Sarasota has been with redfish. Though we've had a few days when they wouldn't move onto the flats in good numbers, the days when they did more than made up for it. Reds to nine pounds took Slimy Slugs in the trout color, Top Dogs in MirroLures new pinfish edition, weedless gold spoons, and chartreuse and white Clouser Minnows from the Ringling Flats to Long Bar in North Sarasota Bay. Though we've had no takers, snook are starting to move up on the same flats, and it's only a matter of time before they produce a few grins, too. <br> <br>Trout to 2 pounds, jack cravalle to 3 and ladyfish to 2 pounds are taking Clouser Minnows, Slimy Slugs tipped with shrimp, gold D.O.A. Shrimp, and live shrimp under popping corks near Whale Key, Long Bar, the Ringling Flats and the deeper grass near the Siesta Drive Bridge. Jacks to 71/2 pounds are hitting Slimy Slugs and MirroLures Top Pup in canals around the north end of Siesta Key. <br> <br>Redfish, trout and ladyfish are also active in Gasparilla Sound and Bull Bay in Charlotte Harbor. Reds to 3 pounds, trout to 2 and ladyfish to 2 pounds are taking tan and white Clousers and Slimy Slugs around Devilfish Key, Three Sisters and the shallow flats on the west side of Bull Bay. These are excellent areas to spot tailing reds on the lower stages of the tides. <br> <br>Fishing near Ft. Desoto Park and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in lower Tampa Bay produced trout and ladyfish to 2 pounds on live shrimp and shrimp tipped jigs. Schools of small jacks, and not so small sailcats, are hitting the same. Bonnethead sharks from 10 to 15 pounds are also roaming the area. <br> <br>Thanks,<br>Capt. Kevin<br> <br>To see photos from recent trips, click on http://www.flatsangler.com.<br><br><br>