BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

Have fun catching ten times as many fish as someone stuck on shore. 

I’ll get it right yet! a reader requested a past tale chronicling Southern California’s bays. this is the right one – at least I’m honestly sure. We’re always open to tale suggestions. Look me up at editor@kayakanglermag.com. – PL  

Kayak fishing is about having fun catching ten times as many fish as someone stuck on shore. Anyone can do it, although many people are more comfortable starting out on flat water. That’s fine! For quick simple action and a wide variety of gamefish, Southern California’s bays and marinas can’t be beat. Here are some favorites, arranged from Ventura County in the north down to San Diego.

Ventura County Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard Long-time kayak fishing guide Dennis Spike of KayakFishing.com leads us off with an overlooked fishing hole, Channel Islands Harbor. Spike clarifies, “It has little boat traffic and can produce brilliant fishing for sand bass, shallow water rockfish, smelt and halibut. The bait receiver is located mid-harbor. Fishing along the breakwalls and in the deep channels is productive.” The best places to launch a kayak are the public launch ramp and Baby’s Beach.

Los Angeles County King Harbor, Redondo Beach According to Spike, the small man-made harbor that juts from shore just north of Palos Verdes enjoys reliable yearly runs of bonito. getting a kayak on the water is simple as it gets. “Simple access is afforded at the public hand launch with ample, inexpensive parking. Paddling distances are small. Halibut fishing is brilliant with larger flatfish than other harbors” says Spike.

Jim Salazar of the Saba Slayer kayak fishing guide service suggests fishing near the adjacent power plant’s warm water discharge (the bubble hole). Halibut favor the flats in the harbor’s back corner. Sand bass, smaller calicos, and the occasional spotted bay bass (a.k.a. spotties) are often found along the outer breakwall and near the bait receiver. as for baits, don’t forget your wallet.

“My favorite bait is a $5 bill (editor’s note – it’s probably $10 now). The receiver is close to the launch. Medium sized anchovies and smaller sardines are best,” says Salazar. For artificials, Salazar suggests trolling black and white floating Rapala or Cultiva minnows. Everything in the harbor will hit them, including barracuda and the odd needlefish.

Port of Los Angeles / Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro Reckon of the sprawling Port of Los Angeles and ponderous freighters and towering cargo cranes come to mind. But there are fish here too, halibut and seasonal sand bass, barracuda, and bonito, and quieter corners where kayak anglers such as Team Malibu’s Greg Tsujiuchi hunt them.

“The favorite target is halibut, which can be caught in as shallow as three feet of water out toward 50 feet, depending on the season. My favorite baits are smelt and sardines on a Carolina rig, but some will argue lizard fish, anchovies, and Spanish mackerel can entice the flatties just as well,” says Tsujiuchi, who likes to fish along the ‘No Motorcraft’ buoy line. According to Tsujiuchi, bait is available at two nearby bait barges, although many anglers prefer to catch their own from the nearby pier.

Don’t forget this is a busy commercial harbor. “Be careful not to venture out to close to the opening of the harbor. huge freight liners regularly make their way to and from the port with the help of tugboats,” Tsujiuchi warns.

Orange County Newport Harbor, Newport Bay Glitzy Newport Harbor is one of Spike’s favorite bays. “In its miles of fishable water, all the basses, white seabass, halibut, barracuda, bonito, croakers and more are commonly landed. Halibut are frequent around the Balboa Pavilion and respond well to anchovies (usually available near the harbor mouth),” says Spike.

Fish in Newport Harbor key on the man-made structures. “The most effective fishing method is trolling artificial minnows that mimic the available baits. Every dock, boat and mooring line should be approached like structure for the best results. My personal experience is 50 to 60 fish days with up to nine species landed,” says Spike. Kayak anglers can launch at 18th Street Beach (metered parking), Coast Guard Beach (limited free parking), or at the Newport Dunes Resort (fee).

Dana Point, Dana Point Kayak anglers are a common sight in this small craft harbor located in the shadow of dramatic Dana Point. Mark Ezell, formerly of Hook1 Kayak Fishing Gear, clues us in. “For starters, Baby Beach is a fantastic launch, with no waves and nearby free parking,” says Ezell.

“The go-to is live bait (available near the harbor mouth). Artificials are excellent too. Trolling a smaller crankbait such as a Yozuri Crystal Minnow shallow diver alongside the jetty wall always hooks something. Spinnerbaits tossed along the rocks lining the island and jetties produce spotties,” says Ezell, who also recommends the bait receiver area for barracuda and halibut. please watch out for juvenile white seabass. “Be careful releasing them, and don’t handle them if you can avoid it,” questions Ezell.

San Diego County Mission Bay, San Diego Sparkling Mission Bay is Drew Clark’s first love. It is full of spirited spotties, the favorite kayak fish of Clark and his Plastic Navy compatriots. “Pound for pound nothing can fight like that fish,” says Clark. Like freshwater bass, “Spotties can be caught in so many ways, but sometimes you can chase them all day and they’ll just toy with you,” says Clark. by far, the preferred bait is the Berkley Frenzy medium diving minnow. “It will pull spotties out when nothing else is working,” says Clark. there are dozens of excellent launches in Mission Bay, yet Clark prefers the beach at Bahia Point for its mid-bay location.  

San Diego Bay, San Diego and Chula Vista The largest natural bay in Southern California is really two completely different fisheries.

The Shelter Island launch area is known for sand bass and sculpin (mid-channel), spotties (shallows), and halibut, corvina, and barracuda. “If you want a guarantee, paddle to the mouth of bay and drop-shot large plastics in the channel around Ballast Point,” suggests Clark. even more so than at L.a. Harbor, beware the traffic. Quickly yield the main channel to any approaching ship.

The South Bay, best accessed at Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, offers huge numbers and exotics. “That place is fantastic. In the right time of year you can get 50 fish days. Most won’t be huge, but that’s the place to find bonefish and even giant halibut. When you’re fishing a 4-inch rootbeer Berkley grub on 4-pound line and hook into a bonefish, it’ll rip you,” says Clark.

Photos:

Top, San Diego Bay ‘Bendo – Southern California’s largest natural harbor is a terrific kayak fishery. Sand bass, spotties, sculpin, halibut, corvina, barracuda, and even bonefish are likely catches. which one could Team Wilderness Systems angler Mark Pierpont have on the line?

Center, King Sand Bass – Kayak anglers can find huge sand bass in small harbors. Team Malibu angler Greg Tsujiuchi picked up this one in King Harbor. PHOTO COURTESY JIM SALAZAR

Bottom, a Speckled, Spirited Spotty – What a spotted bay bass lacks in size is more than made up in sheer fight. Bay bound kayak anglers love to entice these tough fish using techniques familiar to freshwater bassers. this one was fooled by Bill Hokstad in Newport Harbor.

Adam Trott, of Sarasota, was the top co-angler with three fish weighing 19-13 to win $3,000. Jimmy Trudel, of Boca Raton, was second with five fish weighing 18-14 to win $1,500. Quinn Stumpf, of Davie, was seventh at 11-10 to win $500. Scott Crisafulli, of Miramar, was eighth at 11-6 to win $450.

Fish of the week

Daryl Deka’s doing It all caught and released a two-day total of 39 sailfish, including a doubleheader with 15 minutes remaining on the final day Friday, for 7,800 points to win the Jupiter Billfish Tournament. Miss Annie was second with 37 releases and 7,400 points. Outlaw was third with 19 releases on dead bait for 5,700 points. Read Wednesday’s Sun Sentinel for details on the tournament and doing It All’s victory.

Vince Owen and Thad Tally caught 15.78 pounds of bass on spinnerbaits to win the King of the Glades club trail tournament Sunday on Lake Okeechobee out of Belle Glade. Mike Barnard and Joe Holland were second at 14.33 and Holland had the huge bass of 7.43 on a Gambler swim jig. Mike Lendl and Hank Krieg were third at 12.97, followed by Billy Brown and Dave Mathis at 12.32 and Terry and Chris McCartha at 9.9.

Hunter English caught four fish weighing 6.74 pounds to win the season-opening Broward County Jr. Bass Trail tournament Sunday at quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Austin Newland was second with five fish weighing 6.68, followed by Tyler Nekolony at 6.47 and Cody Snead at 6.37. Nekolony had the huge bass at 2.76.

Capt. Alan Zaremba reported excellent fishing for peacock bass and snook despite the cooler temperatures. Jim Davidson, of Boca Raton, and Zen Eidel, of Manor, N.Y., caught 17 peacocks up to 3 pounds and six snook up to 4 pounds using floating Rapalas in the C-4 Canal. Gene Holland, of Hillsdale, N.Y., caught eight peacocks up to 3 pounds, 12 largemouth bass up to 6 pounds and a sunshine bass using floating Rapalas and live shiners on an afternoon trip at Lake Ida. Phil Hughes and his dad, Phillip Sr., of Greenville, S.C., caught 19 peacocks up to 2.5 pounds using floating Rapalas in the C-4. Carl Hochrein, of Pembroke Pines, and Zaremba had 26 largemouths up to 4 pounds and nine peacocks up to 4.5 pounds using Flapp’n Shads, speed worms, floating Rapalas and Baby Torpedoes in the L-30. John and Nel Schaffner and their daughter Dawn, of fire Island, N.Y., had 27 peacocks up to 4.5 pounds and three snook up to 4 pounds using floating Rapalas in the C-4. Jack Taylor, his son Jeff and his grandson Jack, 14, of Toledo, Ohio, caught 14 peacocks, six largemouths and two snook up to 5 pounds using floating Rapalas on an afternoon trip in the C-8.

Student artists across Texas in grades K — 12 take notice: It’s time to start preparing your entries for the 2012 Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest.  this year’s contest expands to include grades K—3, essays and invasive species.

The contest is open to all students in public, private or home schools. Entry deadline is March 31 each year.

Major changes in the contest for 2012 include: change in the permissible size of artwork to include works 8.5 inches by 11 inches or 9 inches by 12 inches; creation of a K—3 grade level division for artwork only; addition of a national prize for best essays in grade level divisions 4—6, 7—9 and 10—12; and a new category with one national winner for best artwork and essay about an invasive species.

Contest rules, guidelines, entry information and details about the contest changes can be found at tpwd.state.tx.us/fishart.

Support for the Texas division of the contest is provided by the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, which makes it possible for the top three Texas entries in each grade level to win cash prizes. First place in grades 10—12 wins $1,000; second place $750; third place $500. Prizes in the 4—6 and 7—9 grade levels are $100 for first; $75 for second; $50 for third.

Additional support for the contest is provided by Strike King Lures, the William E. Armentrout Foundation and Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

One outstanding piece of artwork each year is selected for the Art of Conservation Award, and a commemorative stamp featuring the artwork is produced for sale. Proceeds from sales of the stamp are used to fund conservation projects.

Educators who wish to have their students enter the contest can download the free “State-Fish Art Contest Lesson Plot” at statefishart.com. the interdisciplinary curriculum includes lessons and activities, a species identification section profiling each state fish, a glossary and student worksheets.

Located in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Wildlife Forever is a non-profit multi-species conservation organization dedicated to conserving America’s wildlife heritage. Working at the grassroots level, Wildlife Forever has funded conservation projects in all 50 states, committing millions of dollars to “on-the-ground” efforts. Wildlife Forever supports habitat restoration and enhancement, land acquisition, research and management of fish and wildlife populations.

I mean, why is bass fishing SO much more well loved in overall freshwater fishing than any other freshwater fish?

Huh… I reckon I've seen a very similar Q… therefore, I will add a post of one of my past answers to a question nearly the same to this.

Heres a small descriptive info…

Start Post"
"Distributed"
Worldwide

"Average size"
07" – 1'.04"

"Characteristics"

One of the most well loved targets on lures, Large mouth bass is a generic term which in most cases refer to the northern subspecies. Originally a native of the northeastern regions of north america, this species has been widely transplanted to other regions either as food or game fish. as a result, the species can now be found worldwide. this species is known to be a huge eater, Aquatic insects small bait fish, and craw fish are it's preferred prey. The species adapt well to most types of water conditions, and the adult males are known to protect their young and eggs against other predators. as a result to this, they commonly place themselves at the top of the food chain.

"Fishing"
This species is known to be highly aggressive and curious, making them an ideal fish to be caught on a lure. they can be found in early summer and early fall in the shallows around structures. and in mid summer they can be caught close to the surface with top water lures. When it is too hot they will often go to the bottom of the water to keep cooler and will become inactive. Also in winter they will migrate to the deeper waters and can be found concentrated around rock piles and other submerged structures.

So basically a layout of why they are the "top" game fish around

One of the most widespread species of freshwater game fish in the world

They eat a variety of different foods that can be used as bait

They are extremely curious and aggressive, which means they can be fished on a variety of different functioning lures that can trigger (territorial, anger, hunger, curiosity. ETC)

Because they eat insects they can also occasionally done on dry flies. which means lures, bait & fly fishing.

It's adaption to many environments means it can be found nearly everywhere, and fished effectively even in harsh weather and water conditions.

They also can be fished on all depths of lures depending on season. top waters are very exiting to catch them with in the summer (when it's not too hot) and it's a excellent time to slowly crank a jig during the winter (or when it's too hot in the summer)

It's also known for a great fight that you don't really need anything "too" fancy to catch on. thought it never hurt to have a wide variety of tackle to catch em on. hah

I got a few more reasons..

They are not really considered perilous, no chomping off your fingers kinda thing. so you can land them without really worrying about that

They are not really a nuisance in lakes and ponds, of course they do have to eat and survive (like all fish obviously) but they keep other populations in check (say bluegill and bait fish)

They are also usually catch-n-release, reason being is that the fear of mishandling or killing a specific large fish may be a erm… mother to be, of which future generations can continue to delight in a plentiful sport with these fish. which in turn keeps these fish blooming to be a sport fish (game fish)

It's also the state fish of alabama Georgia Mississippi & florida. as well as official sport-fish of Tennessee. (this last part may be out of date though… this was the last I heard of it, the rest on top was from the top of my head, this though was from wiki) I wanted to see if it really was an official in some places, obviously in this case it is.

I just wanted to add abit more cause just the stuff above (before the edit) was injustice to this awesome fish. because there are alot more reasons
End Post:

Allright then now that thats over.. The EDIT: (after the I got some more reasons) was one of 4 edits on the original post of mine. The other 3 were thumbs up and a personal opinion about bass. The 4th edit (as shown) are pretty factual. And… I hope this enlightens you to the ways of "Bass fishing"

By the way before I forget and have to make an EDIT I'll just say it now Peter AZ… just like that last answer you had for that other similar question… Thumbs up, nice job. really factual and detailed.

EDIT: Agh damn it! I forgot to add in my finishing phrase… I guess editing this post was inevitable… oh well lets get it over with

"Fishin influenced games… Games influenced me"

Everyone else nailed it. my main two reasons are is that they can survive in many different environments, and they are also simple to catch but do offer some challenge when going after them.

If you want a true challenge, try fly fishing for trout, not stockies, wild trout. its probably the toughest, but most fun type of fishing I've done.

But I still delight in bass fishing more.

This is for large mouth and small mouth bass…
I have fishing friends that are from states that have bass in lakes and they all tell me that they are great fighting fish. they also tell me that I would delight in fishing for bass.

Here in Alaska the only bass that we have are sea bass and I do not fish for them.

For me, it's the challenge. Other fish can be hard to catch, but bass, in my opinion, are the most hard fish to catch consistently. What they will hit changes by the month, week, day, and even hour. that challenge is what really keeps me chasing them.

I've also wondered this. The 1 and only reason is because bass wil bite more varied things then other fish

What do you get when you take a hard bait body, add a tie-in point to its front end, a five-arm wire harness to its back end, then attach a swivel at the end of each arm?

Your mental picture might resemble some kind of spider, but what you have is a fish-catching rig that has set the bass fishing world on its ear and given bass bloggers much to talk about.

It’s also the rig that put professional angler Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., on the winner’s platform, where he collected $100,000 in first-place prize money. the win came at the Walmart Forrest L. Wood Tour Open in October on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville.

Elias took the tournament with a four-day, 20-fish catch that weighed in at 102 pounds, 8 ounces and bested second-place finisher Robert Behrle of Hoover, Ala., by more than 17 pounds.

Any lure that helps an angler catch that much fish and put $100K in the bank is bound to attract the interest of bass fishermen across the country and perhaps around the world. the concept already has been mimicked in Japan. but I didn’t know that a week ago, when reader Steve Heck wrote and questioned if an Alabama Rig was legal to use on Lake Mead. in fact, I didn’t even know what an Alabama Rig was, so I had to do some digging.

It didn’t take my friend Google long to turn up multiple links to Web pages and blogs filled with articles, news releases and discussions about Elias and the incredible “new” Alabama Rig. in reality, the Alabama Rig simply is an umbrella rig in miniature. Umbrella rigs are designed so your swim baits combine to represent a small school of baitfish. as near as I can tell, the big difference between an umbrella rig and an Alabama Rig is the size.

The Alabama Rig is small enough that an angler can cast and retrieve it with a standard casting rod but is large enough to present five soft swim baits. Elias used an 8-foot rod with 65-pound test Spiderwire during the FLW event, and baited up with 5-inch or 6½-inch swim baits on 3/8-ounce and ¾-ounce jigheads.

According to Nevada’s 2011 Fishing Guide, or regulations, “No more than … two lures or plugs irrespective of the number of hooks or attractor blades attached thereto, may be attached to the line.”

Officer Karen Welden, a Nevada game warden, said this applies to traditional umbrella rigs and the Alabama variety. It means that you can use these rigs, but only two of your attached swim baits may have hooks attached. the rest may serve only as attractors.

During his tournament win, Elias focused his efforts on underwater ridges and quick-dropping points near causeways and areas where bass were staging to ambush shad. Doesn’t sound like a terrible tactic for Lake Mead, where the quick-reproducing gizzard shad are keeping striper fishermen in bait and striper bellies full.

The Alabama Rig sells for $27.99 and is available only through the Internet at thealabamarig.com.

“It’s going to be crucial to practice catch-and-release on these fish, because when you get that bait in your hand, you’re going to catch a lot of fish,” Elias said. “So please take care of your lake.”

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. his “In the Outdoors” column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. any opinions he states in his column are his own. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail.com.

Colby Pearson and Jacob Wall dominate the field to win regional bass-fishing tourney in Arizona

Two Rogue Valley teens will be pitching and flipping their way toward bass-angling history next spring when the represent the Western United States in the upcoming national high-school fishing championships.

Jacob Wall and Colby Pearson were too much for the rest of the field in last Saturday’s regional championships in Arizona, routing a field of other two-person teams in the event organized by The Bass Federation.

The pair, representing Oregon, weighed a full limit of five bass that tipped the scales at 14 pounds, almost twice that of the second-place team, representing California, in the FLW/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championships on Saguaro Lake near Mesa, Ariz.

They did it with the first five largemouth bass they caught in the one-day tournament, then released two other legal-sized fish that didn’t make the team’s cut.

“We were hopeful we could go down there and catch 13-14 pounds, and we did,” says Wall, a St. Mary’s School junior from Jacksonville. “We couldn’t have asked for any better a tournament.”

The pair each won a trophy, but more importantly they will be the last of five teams that will compete in the national high-school championships next spring, with the date and location not yet announced.

“We’re pretty good for our age, and we had a good feeling we’d do well together,” says Pearson, a Crater High School senior from Central Point. “We fish together as a team, no matter what.”

The pair qualified for Saturday’s regional tournament by winning the inaugural Oregon State High School Championship on the Columbia River last spring, which was the first step toward their ultimate goal of winning the upcoming national championship.

But first they had to reign supreme on Saguaro Lake last weekend, against nine other Western state champion teams. This latest tournament was held in conjunction with the three-day National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship hosted by Arizona State University.

The Oregon teens, visiting from the land of salmon, not only dominated their field, but also the college field.

The winning college team could muster only 23 pounds, 2 ounces of bass over three days. Pearson’s and Wall’s accomplishment came on the final day of the college tournament.

Most of the college kids fished in water up to 65 feet deep, while Pearson and Wall focused on water eight to 20 feet deep and found some huge largemouth cruising the shallows, Pearson says.

“One college kid said, ‘Go deep or go home,’ ” Pearson says. “We didn’t, and did well.”

National champions will each earn a $5,000 scholarship to use at the university of their choice.

Reach reporter mark Freeman at 541-776-4470, or email at mfreeman@mailtribune.com.

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This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers, anglers, guides and local businesses. Conditions may vary as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Bottomless Lakes — No report, but winter stocking has begun and fishing should be good at Cottonwood and Devils Inkwell.

Conchas Lake — Fishing at Conchas lake is reported as slow overall. North Dock reports that white bass are being taken in 40 to 45 feet of water when suspended at 15 feet with jigs and slabs and when trolling. No report on other species.

Santa Rosa Lake – No report.

Sumner Lake — Sumner Lake is open to boating. The East Ramp is open for launching. before we re-opened the ramp, Walleye were biting from the bank, down near the dam, and along the rip rap. but we need some anglers to stir them up.

Weekly tests at Sumner Lake have indicated the lake is free of quagga mussel larvae, an aquatic invasive species that can cause enormous problems for fisheries, boaters and others who use the lake water, the Department of Game and Fish and the State Parks Division announced Friday.

Tests in may had indicated the possible presence of quagga mussels in the lake, which led to a temporary boating closure, hourly restrictions, and subsequent requirements that all boats be decontaminated upon leaving the water. Further weekly tests since Memorial Day, however, showed no evidence of the mussels.

“This is fantastic news for park visitors who enjoy boating, fishing and other recreation at Sumner Lake State Park,” Parks Director Tommy Mutz said. “There is plenty of water and the fishing should be good through next spring.”

Ute Lake — The fishing is starting to pick up a bit. White bass are being caught in 30-40 feet of water near steep structure in the main part of the lake. Walleye were caught in the same places. all fish were caught on the White Leprechaun slab. Fishing pressure remains on the light side.

Cimarron River — The flow below Eagle Nest Dam is 2.7 cfs and 6.6 cfs near Cimarron. The release out of Eagle’s Nest Dam has dropped significantly and is really not worth fishing at these low levels. Check the flows before you go. Releases below 25 cfs makes for slow fishing. If the release doesn’t go back up, wait until spring next year to glide fish.

Costilla Creek — The flow is 12 cfs near the town of Costilla. Fishing is reported as slow below the Valle Vidal boundary. Anglers are having success with dry droppers and various bed headed nymphs close to the banks. Check the flows before you go, water levels are very low and fish are spooky.

Red River — Flows are 13 cfs near Questa and 45 cfs below the hatchery. Fishing for trout is reported as honest to good with better fishing on the lower stretches. Fish are being caught with all methods working.

Published: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:35 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:35 a.m.

1 – at Huge Pier 60 in Clearwater, lots of whiting and a few keeper sheepshead, reports Kelly Dacey. otherwise, some undersized mangrove snapper and flounder, jacks and black sea bass.

2 – at Madeira Beach, large school of bull redfish 20-30 pounds on Treasure Island reef 7 miles off John’s Pass, reports Capt. Dane Karcher (727-647-6919) of John’s Pass. Storms have limited offshore fishing, and a tropical wave in the Gulf could impact the Gulf Coast this weekend. Karcher finished third in the St. Pete Open Spear-Fishing Tournament Aug. 19-21 with a 73-pound black grouper. Several grouper 65-83 pounds in event, and Douglas Strott Jr. speared a 100.50-pound amberjack.

3 – at John’s Pass, likely to be a crowd for holiday weekend, but fishing’s been slow around pass. Redfish increasing on flats in Boca Ciega Bay.

4 – at Fort DeSoto Park, offshore redfish have went in to Egmont Key between island and the 90-foot hole, said Capt. Dane Karcher. Anglers are hooking up on crabs. Slot redfish can be excellent on flats inside park and around spots like Tarpon Key on live bait and artificials depending on weather. Also tarpon and bonita in hole and in channel back to Skyway.

5 – around the Sunshine Skyway and lower Tampa Bay, three schools of 30-40 redfish 27-38 inches keeping lines tight on flats at Miguel Bay, reports Capt. Jason Lineberger. He’s hooking up on topwater (orange belly/black back She Pups) in the mornings and buzz-baits (bass-style) in afternoons, along with cut bait on 40-pound mono leader with 15-pound high-visibility Power Pro braid. Capt. Shawn Crawford of Lakeland (941-747-3856) said bite was off around new moon. he worked hard for a dozen redfish in upper slot on Tuesday at end of incoming tide after extreme low tide. Also one nice trout and a 28-inch snook. Crawford said trout should be bunching up for spawn. Water 82-84 on flats.

6 – at Anna Maria, redfish and trout “really chewing” over weekend in northern Sarasota Bay, with non-stop action on flats with clean water, reports Capt. Jon Bull of Lakeland (863-860-7250). Trout up to 23 inches casting MirrOlure MirrOdines (17MR-50), and bigger trout over 20 inches in smaller potholes adjacent to the Intercoastal. Larger potholes held more trout, but they were on small side. Redfish very active on MirrOlure’s 4-inch Soft Shad in “Chicken” and “Golden Bream” patterns (MR S S 4-16 and MR S S 4-26). Bull released close to 30 redfish 16-22 inches using those colors on 1/8-ounce Mission Fishin’ jig-heads. Bite was so excellent, Bull went through entire package of “Chicken” Soft Shads.

7 – at St. Petersburg, excellent trout bite on flats in front of Weedon Island on MirrOdines, reports Capt. Jason Lineberger. he said trout mixed sizes 12-20 inches. Mangrove snapper fair around Gandy Bridge on small greenbacks.

8 – in the north end of Tampa Bay, mangrove snapper OK, but mostly 10-11 inches around bridge fenders at Howard Frankland, reports Capt. Jason Lineberger of Tampa (813-363-9474). Lineberger also jumped six tarpon around Courtney Campbell on cut bait, and said they’re right for glide fishing. but he said there’s a brown algae bloom with freshwater runoff from Howard Frankland to Safety Harbor, and you’ll lose your bait in well, even shrimp.

- along the east and south shore of Tampa Bay, redfish doing very well from Simmons Park across into Sarasota Bay, reports Brent Howlett at Stone’s Outhouse. he said everybody including kayak fishermen catching a couple of excellent reds on artificials, with topwater bite (Super Spook Jr., Mirro-Mullet XL) on strong incoming tides. Reds mid-slot to 28 inches. Scented jigs also work for reds when they roll and miss topwater lures.

- at Fort Pierce, two schools of about 100 slot redfish and up to 30 inches on topwater lures imitating finger mullet at North Bridge flats, with trout mixed in, reports Doug Smith at the Fishing Center of St. Lucie (772-465-7637). more tarpon than snook at inlet and turning basin. Opening day of snook season pretty slow, and most snook are above the 28-32 inch slot. Tarpon following mullet, which are just starting to increase. Mangrove snapper up to 3 pounds on channel edges with shrimp. No offshore reports since Hurricane Irene passed last week.

- at Sebastian Inlet, snook season opened at 12:01 a.m. Thursday on the east coast, and there was a strong bite off north jetty before daylight on live pinfish and pigfish. but most snook were 33-34 inches, over slot of 28-32 inches, reports Chris Young at Wabasso Bait and Tackle (772-589-8518). Snook also around bridge pilings and catwalks on bucktail jigs on outgoing tides. Slot redfish really picked up at Wabasso Causeway, in the inlet and off jetties on pinfish and pigfish. Trout still steady on flats in river. Offshore, a few sailfish and kingfish, but seas have been rough.

- On the Space Coast, excellent week for tarpon averaging 40 inches along beach south of Port Canaveral, reports Capt. Keith Mixon of Lakeland (mixinworkwithplay.com). Mixon sight-casting to tarpon with live pinfish rigged on circle hooks with 7-foot medium action spinning reel combo equipped with 50-pound-test braided line and mono leader. Flounder averaging 15 inches excellent during outgoing tides near turning basins inside Port Canaveral as well as Canaveral buoy line on fresh dead finger mullet or pilchards. Key for flounder is bouncing baits off bottom while drifting. Mangrove snapper excellent bet near jetties at Port during outgoing tides on live shrimp and small pilchards. when targeting mangroves, use light tackle and be patient with these notorious nibblers. Mixon said mangroves pick up bait, take it away from school of fish, then eat it, so try not to set hook on first sign of a bite.

I am starting a new tank this year. I am interested in finding info on making a aquarium with a variety of freshwater sport fish like catfish, bass, crappie, bluegill etc.

Yes they can but there are some problems with doing this. first you will need a very large tank to provide the habitat they are used to. Second it may be illegal in your state. They are better left to the rivers and lakes and stick to tropical fish for an aquarium.

Go to the websites for the Dept of Fish and Game. I've had bass and catfish before along with a tank with bluegills you pretty much treat them like ciclids.

Bass Pro Shop does it all the time. But they have a REALLY HUGE tank

yeah basicley what they all said… its iligal some places and if it isent where u live….its one inch of fish per gallon….but there also games fish so they need lots more room to run around and stuff i wouldent recomend anythang under a 150 gal for such a experament…

Yeah, but you gots to have a wicked huge tank tank. I have 3 largemouths, 2 bluegill and a channel cat in my 360 gallon. Let me tell you, those Bass are more aggressive than nearly all tropicals you'll ever find in a fish store. But they are all VERY hardy and hard to kill, so they really make good aquarium fish, if you have the room for them.

It is possible to have those kind of fishes in a tank. I have successfully kept two bluegills that i caught in a 55 gallon. however, a bass would be kinda harder to keep since they can get very big and have huge appetites. Oriental fish markets have bass in a 125gallon, but has a high powered filtration system.

It's possible, but as others here have said, you'll need a large tank for the species you list. you may also need a special permit, or at least a fishing license, depending on the regulations where you live.

I've kept channel cats, bullheads, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseeds, carp (a small one), largemouth and smallmouth bass, white and hog suckers, minnows, darters, and others.

A good source of info for keeping natives is the Native Fish Conservancy: nativefish.org/articles/Sci_a…

catfish do better than the rest but they are not a fresh water tank type of fish i try this one to lost alot as they like the diryt waters and just dont do great in a tank

Crappie: 1/16-1/8 oz jigs in various colors leaning towards "black, black/red, crawdad". Beetle-spins with a curly tail plastic body. 'Course you just can't beat trolling a live minnow with a splitshot.

Bass: Senko's and Worms in Redshad/ Black/ Tequila Sunrise/ Redshad-green glitter.
1/4-1/2 OZ spinner-baits with gold willowleaf blades and a chartruese skirt.

Catfish: Berkely Catfish Bites. Chum-up the area you are going to fish using old chicken gizzards & old cheese rapped in large bread-balls. (I've only "Catfished" maybe 3-5 times in my life, so there may be a better bait out there now.)

Hope this helps somehow?