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Bass, Bluegill Biting; Specks Are Coming

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Mark Cook.

Local weather forecasters are predicting our first significant front on the fall season for later this week, and local speck anglers are looking forward to it. Though specks are being caught, their numbers will increase dramatically when water temperatures drop into the 70s and continue down to the 60s.

Although speck fishermen are in a holding pattern, bass and bluegill fans have been happy with their success rates recently. On Lake Tarpon, slab-size bluegill are hitting red worms near the surface. Good numbers and a few limits also have been reported at Medard and Tenoroc.

Bass on Lake Tarpon also have perked up now that water temperatures have dropped a bit, helped by the shorter daylight hours and the recent rain. Guide Lenny Crispino has been getting as many as 30 bass per trip, most coming on wild shiners.
Crispino is free-lining the shiners in the grass and vegetation and also working deepwater structures later in the day. Bass also are hitting lipless crankbaits like the Berkley Frenzy and gold and chrome Rat-L-Traps.

Fall is an excellent time for schooling bass. Just like in saltwater, diving birds can be a good indication bass are schooling and chasing shad.

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