Captain Tommy Thompson (tommythompson@mindspring.com) in Steinhatchee told of good sheepshead and Spanish mackerel action at Steinhatchee. The sheepshead have been on the local reefs, and the Spanish mackerel have been showing up around bait schools near some of the big offshore sand bars. Trout have been plentiful, too. He said fishing for them and redfish should get better as this warm spell continues. Lots of mullet have been inshore, bringing in lots of trout and reds.

Capt. Joey Landreneau of Pure Flats Charters in Steinhatchee (land1503@att.net; 352-226-3226 cell, 850-578-2095 beach) said the Big Bend inshore species have been right on queue with the official start of the spring season. Great reports have come in from earlier this week emphasizing that the top water bite has been very productive during the strong incoming tide. Anglers targeting gator trout and upper-slot redfish have been very successful using plugs such as Zara Spook and Skitter Walk, and Shadee Shad soft plastics in water depths of 2 to 3 feet. The shallow water temperature is inching higher into the upper 60s and low 70s, which should keep the inshore species on their annual springfest. Unfortunately, the last quarter moon tidal phase scheduled for this week-end may slow the bite with the lack luster water movement over the Big Bend flats.