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Signs Of Early Spring In The Air

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2008

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

All signs are pointing to an early spring. Water temperatures on the flats have bumped up to 73 degrees in back country areas of south Tampa Bay the past couple of weeks. Saturday we saw our first tarpon hanging out in a deep grassy hard-bottom area of lower Tampa Bay.

Bait schools are beginning to show between the Skyway and Anna Maria. Spanish and a few king mackerel are also starting to show. While these are signs of spring, until I smell orange blossoms beginning to sprout, I'll save my excitement.

One of my favorite pastimes is working top-water lures for big trout. Typically, these spotted sea trout begin to show up on the flats during late March and early April. Saturday, tossing CAL Jigs, DOA Deadly Combos, and Love's Swimming Minnows in the lower bay, we landed several trout 24 inches or longer.

Sunday, inside Terra Ceia Bay working shallow grassy areas with potholes in just a few hours with the MirrOLure Top Dog, 28 trout came to the surface to blast the lure. Of those, all were over the minimum, and eight were more than four pounds.

The zig-zagging, "walk-the-dog" action of this kind of lure seems to be irresistible to big trout. Baits like the Heddon Zara Spook, Rapala Skitterwalk and the MirrOLure Top Dog series are proven baits when it comes to nailing huge trout. Green spots on the flats are usually the deeper holes, more than 4 feet deep.

Fan cast an area beyond the holes, retrieve the lure past the edges and through the center of the hole. If a big trout is there, hang on.

Ray Markham co-hosts "Florida Sportsman Magazine Radio Live," Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. on WWBA, 1040 AM, and can be reached for charter at (941) 723-2655.

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