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Tips For Fighting The Cold

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By MIKE ANDERSON

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 6, 2008

GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Mike Anderson, right, with "Reel Animals" partner Billy Nobles.

The unusually cold weather has definitely made things challenging. Sixty-degree water and some windy days have us really appreciating the days of light wind mixed in.

On days when the wind will allow it, the grouper and snapper bites in the Bay are steady, with plenty of keepers being caught. The grouper trolling bite has been especially good, with reports of 15- to 20-fish mornings common.

Troll the 28- to 32-foot edge of the shipping channel for best results. The bite has been best on the MirrOlure 25-foot-plus plugs in orange and gold. Trolling these plugs is an easy way to cover a lot of water in a hurry.

Just be sure the plug is bumping the bottom.

The inshore bite has been steady but not spectacular. The big trout have rolled into the south end of Tampa Bay as well as Sarasota Bay and St. Joseph Sound. Captain Jim Huddleston reports a lot of trout in the 24- to 27-inch range being caught around Anclote Key. Captain James Goodwin is reporting that redfish are also a solid bet around Anclote and into St. Joseph Sound, and his clients also are catching several big trout almost daily.

From Fort DeSoto on up to Anclote Key the fish seem to be eating artificials as well as live shrimp and white bait. Don't forget about our winter friend, the sheepshead. Bay area bridges and almost all residential docks are a great place to start.

Use a small hook with some live shrimp and a small split shot and you're in business.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the "Reel Animals Fishing Show" on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. and Sundays from 11-11:30 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on 1040 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit www.reelanimalsfishing

show.com.

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