04-17-2002, 06:05 PM
Capt. Kevin Chamberlain<br><br>Spring is finally here and flats fishing is heating up. Snook and redfish are moving into their warm water patterns and feeding well along the way. The water is still clear, the temperatures are mild and you can still fish throughout the day, playing the tides to your best advantage. <br> <br>In Sarasota, snook, trout, bluefish, jacks, pompano and ladyfish have been the best bets. On the shallow flats near Long Bar, snook and redfish have been hitting top-water MirroLures and Bayou Chub Minnows. In deeper grass around the Middlegrounds, Radio Tower and Bishops Point, bluefish, trout, jacks, ladyfish and the occasional pompano have been hitting Bayou Chub Minnows, Slimy Slugs and Exude RT Slugs. <br> <br>Best action in Lower Tampa Bay has been around Terra Ceia Bay and Rattlesnake Key. Snook and jacks have been busting the top-water baits around oyster bars and potholes early in the day. Trout, ladyfish, jacks and bluefish have been on the open grass in depths from 3 to 6 or 7 feet. Soft plastic jigs have been the best baits.<br> <br>In Charlotte Harbor, redfish and trout are hitting in Gasparilla Sound, Bull Bay and Turtle Bay. Trout action has slowed from what it was a few weeks back, possible a result of the red tide outbreak at the time, and the larger fish have been noticeably absent. Snook have been in the backcountry, but seem to have an affinity for live bait, snubbing flies and other artificial offerings. <br> <br>Tarpon are beginning to show in Boca Grande Pass and if the pattern continues, should be in good numbers off the beaches soon. They normally start to show here around mid-May, but could show earlier. They've reportedly been in decent numbers around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, and in the open areas of Charlotte Harbor. <br><br>Thanks,<br>Capt. Kevin Chamberlain<br>http://www.flatsangler.com<br>(941) 366-FISH (3474)<br><br><br>