Spring patterns have been working well for anglers this week. As long as the weather stays in these temperatures I see no reason for it to change.

Capt. Billy Miller has been fishing the flats of Ft. Desoto and the south shore of Tampa Bay and getting all the action his charters can handle. Live shrimp, tail hooked under a popping cork has been a go to set up for speckled trout and pompano. Using electric chicken DOA shrimp Miller and his parties have added Spanish mackerel, bluefish, lady fish, jack crevalle and redfish to their catches along with the trout and pompano.

Pompano, which are usually caught one or two a trip, have been extremely hungry with easy limits most days.

Sarasota Bay is showing the same type pattern for Capt. Rick Grasset. Using CAL shad tail jigs, Grasset’s parties are catching trout, mackerel and blue fish in the Middle Ground Flat and Buttonwood Bay area.

Terra Ceia Bay has been producing reds, trout and pompano on jigs. Fly rod anglers using a sink tip line and Clouser Flies have also been catching lots of fish.

The sheepshead spawn is underway and places like the Port Tampa Reef and the Gandy and Frankland bridges have been the hot spots. Dennis Lindeman caught 12 pound sheepshead at the Gandy on shrimp.

Anglers fishing south of the Egmont ship channel in 40-45 feet of water report good mangrove snapper action. Slivers of cut bait and a frozen chum bag will bring the snapper to the top for some fun fishing.

Big gag and red grouper are also in the catch, biting well on live pin fish and frozen Spanish sardines.