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Summer Patterns Are Upon Us

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 5, 2008

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.

With water temperatures in the low to mid-80s on many area lakes, fishermen are starting to switch to summer tactics to find fish. This means fishing early or late and fishing deeper and slower.
Lake Kissimmee was on fire the past few days with limits of shellcracker and bluegill very common. Anglers have been a little tight lipped, according to the folks at Grape Hammock Fish Camp on the southwest side of Kissimmee. Those that are talking seem to be finding the panfish in the lily pads around Brahma and Grassy Island, with wiggler worms best on the shellcracker and crickets taking most of the bluegill. Bass catches on the Kissimmee chain have been tough as water levels are dropping. Lake Toho was recently sprayed for nuisance weeds and vegetation, which is creating a challenge for anglers looking for bass.

This is the best time of the year to target panfish in area rivers. Low water levels help congregate the fish, so work the deep dark corners with a live worm. It's possible to catch bluegill, shellcracker, catfish and bass in a single deep river hole. If you don't immediately get a bite, find the next hole and hang on.

Wednesday morning I took a quick trip to Holmes Beach, wading the grass flats on the south side of Manatee Avenue. Using a 1/8-jig head rigged with a new-penny Berkley Gulp shrimp I found a good flounder bite skipping the shrimp slowly over the white sand potholes doting the grass flats. For those that throw a cast net the mullet were practically hitting me in the head as I waded. Now is an excellent time to target mullet for the smoker or frying pan.

For more information,

contact Mark Cook at

tribfishing@aol.com.

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