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Trout On The Target List Again

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 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.

Starting the year with the reopening of the speckled trout season is an event many anglers eagerly await. Anglers fishing south of Fred Howard Park have been eager to take home a few trout for dinner.

I admit, I have a weakness for this fried weakfish, and speckled trout are one fish that I enjoy from time to time. I take only what I need for dinner and the rest are released.

While fishing with "Florida Sportsman Fishing Show" director Robin Smillie on Monday, tides seemed to flow at a trickling pace.

The slow tides also led to some steady, but not-so-fast paced action, and still we managed to catch snook, redfish, flounder, jacks, ladyfish and trout.

The trout we found were scattered from Joe Bay to Terra Ceia Bay. Some were in holes on the falling tide, while others hit on the flats at the last of the incoming tide. We caught trout ranging from 12 to about 19 inches using the MirrOlure Top Dog, DOA Shrimp, CAL Jigs with Shad tails and Jerk baits on jig heads.

As we approach Tuesday's new moon, tides will improve and hopefully the cold weather will not have a lasting effect. Water temperatures will drop, making fish more lethargic and less likely to chase bait.

Most fish will get closer to the bottom.

A slower presentation with either a live shrimp or an artificial such as the DOA Shrimp surely will take the lion's share of speckled trout. Curly tailed jigs such as the CAL or Love's Lures worked slowly across the bottom will take flounder, which have increased in numbers lately, and specks.

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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