CAPT

El Nino conditions with the rain, wind and cold weather that occurs when another front rolls through have made fishing conditions difficult to say the least. Snook being Out of Season until Feb. 1^st and spotted seatrout still Out of Season until Jan. 1^st has narrowed the species to target to just a few. Snook, because of the water temps being in the low 60’s to high 50”, are fish I do not target, because by just catching and release could stress the fish to a point where it may not be able to recover and would die.

Trout are fragile, but by little handling of the fish and a quick release with a dehooker, you can quickly send the fish on it’s way with little or no stress. This past week, I was able to get out Thursday and Friday afternoons and take advantage of the incoming tide. “Catch & release” spotted sea trout made up the bulk of the catch. Thursday, we fished south of Longbar and by drifting the potholes in 2 to 4ft. of water, and I was impressed with the size of the trout. The majority of the fish were in the slot and a few measured over 22”.

Mister Twister Exudes in the golden bream and watermelon seed color did the trick, rigged a couple different ways. Both ways worked great. The most effective ways that I’ve found are 1^st by using a 1/8 ounce or ¼ ounce jig head or by using a Mister Twister “keeper hook”. You can either bounce the lure up and down or use it as a jerk bait and make it dart back and forth will produce for trout, redfish, bluefish, snook and even an occasional flounder.

The Exudes are injected with scent and sometimes very soft, but with the keeper hook, it’s best to actually screw the keeper into the head of the plastic to make it a lot more durable. There are still a lot of fish available on the flats, but it may be hit & miss until you get onto a productive stretch of grass and sand that may hold a school of fish. I look for dark bottom areas that may have some dead grass laying in there that the fish may use for a food source and for warmth.

Structure fishing is my other target area for winter fishing. Sheepshead, mangrove snapper, flounder and some reds are the target fish. Docks are usually the primary target and you want to look for the “seasoned” docks in a decent water depth. By seasoned, I mean an older dock with growth of barnacles or oysters on it. That is a good food source for sheepies and other species. If you fish these areas, you must get your bait, (this time of year, it is usually shrimp), up under the dock by casting or using the tide to help move the bait into the pilings where the fish are hanging out.

Stout tackle is a must. A rod with a backbone, line from 10 to 20lb test, floracarbon leader, a small strong hook, a little weight and you should be in business.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH, FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR 941-795-6711 776-1187 E-MAIL tesmls@infi.net and “ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM” 1490AM radio every Sat. from 8:30 – 10:00. Call me toll free 1877-331-1490.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S
REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187

DECEMBER 24, 2002

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU!! Due to the Holiday Shopping, (Ho Ho), etc, I'll make this short and to the point. I'll be back next week with a good long report for you!

Right now, the fishing is very good. The weather is what you have to watch out for. Wind mostly, and the rain at times. The water
temperature is still in the 60's, so a good tip is, look for the dark
muddy bottom, the areas with structure, and where you find dead grass on the bottom. The fish will head for these areas for the warmth.

Snook and Trout are both Out of Season, so they are catch & release. Remember to try not to touch the trout, as they need to be handled as little as possible. Your areas with structure will hold sheepshead at this time. Redfish are still just about anywhere. Tidy Island, the Manatee River, the edges in Terra Ceia Bay, and on down to Sarasota Bay, are all good places to find them. The snook pictured was caught by Bill Packer, BEFORE THEY WERE OUT OF SEASON!

GOOD FISHING, CAPT THOM SMITH REMEMBER TO JOIN ME EVERY SATURDAY MORNING FROM 8:30 - 10:00 ON 1490AM FOR "ON THE WATER WITH
CAPT. THOM". If you can't listen, and want to give me a Fishing Report, or have a question, call toll free 1-877-331-1490

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HERE’S THE LATEST FISHING NEWS FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

DECEMBER 7, 2002

Cold fronts, sometimes two a week have kept us guessing about what’s going on with the fish. With my boat being down for the past week, I’m going to pass on fishing information supplied to me by customers in the shop and Guide Friends, about what’s happening throughout the area. Trout are Out of Season, so remember to “catch & release” them. Trout are fairly plentiful on deeper grass flats, in pot holes in deeper water and in canals with mud bottom. If you do have to target them, take care when you release them. Use barbless hooks or a quick release device that quickly sends them on their way.

Redfish seem to be readily available throughout the area, both on the flats and around docks. On the flats, the water is very clear and clean, so most of the time a long cast may be required to get close to the fish. Live shrimp will work, but to cover a lot of ground, artificials like Mister Twister Exudes in a variety of colors will do the trick. Gold Spoons like Mepps Timber Doodle and Johnson Silver Minnors are capable of long casts and can be worked quickly to search for fish. Reds can be found from Joes Bay to the north, Miguel Bay, some hard bottom areas in Terra Ceia, The Seven Pines shoreline, Palma Sola and on down to Long Bar and Tidy Island.

Snook have been a little difficult and are feeling the cooler water temperatures. The smaller fish are more likely to feed around creek mouths, canals and some of the deeper docks, but usually that doesn’t happen till the sun warms the water up a bit and gets them moving around. With the water temperatures in the low 60’s, the only constant is the old winter standby, sheepshead! By targeting structure, docks, bridges, piers, rock piles and old sunken boats, you are almost sure to catch a mess of fish.

A positive by-catch around these type of places can be mangrove snapper, black drum, flounder, a red or two, and occasionally a gag grouper. Live bait, small shrimp, pieces of shrimp and sometimes a pinfish will get you a hookup. Tackle should be stout enough to muscle a fish out of the rocks or out from under a dock. As I mentioned earlier, the fronts that keep pushing through have a real affect on which days are fishable and the ones that due to the wind and rain are unfishable.

Hopefully next week, all my information for you will be “First hand”. GOOD FISHING, CAPT THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR. 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net. Call me with YOUR fishing report on the Radio show, Saturday morning from 8:30-10:00 , 1490AM “ON THE WATER WITH CAPT THOM”. TOLL FREE 877-331-1490 or local 745-1490

REMEMBER A CHARTERED FISHING TRIP WOULD MAKE A GREAT GIFT. CALL ME FOR YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE.

HERE’S THE LATEST REPORT FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 E-MAIL tesmls@infi.net

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30^TH, 2002

Fridays trip began with 20 knot winds blowing out of the northeast and 57 degree water temperatures, making for a difficult decision what to do and where to fish. We started out fishing the docks of Key Royale, catching a variety of fish, sheepshead to 4lb, redfish to 19”, black drum and spade fish on shrimp.

In the afternoon, as the flats warmed up, we worked the LongBar area and managed some nice redfish up to 26”, in the shallow water. Mister Twister, Exudes in golden bream and baby bass rigged with an 1/8oz. jig head and weedless, with a “Keeper hook” produced the best results.

Sorry the report is so short, but with the wind, and the cold temps, and the Holiday , I haven’t been out as much as I usually am. Look for my “full report” next week. Hope everyone had a very Happy Holiday.

See you “ON THE WATER WITH CAPT THOM”, AND LISTEN TO THE RADIO, SATURDAY MORNINGS FROM 8:30 – 10:00AM ON 1490AM.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLAT’S LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR, 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 E-MAIL tesmls@infi.net.

THIS IS THE LATEST FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR, Bradenton , Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

NOVEMBER 16, 2002

Toward the end of this past week, the weather turned on us again and only the hardiest or craziest of anglers decided to go fishing the past few days. Rain wind and more wind made for tough conditions to produce fish and with the temperatures dropping into the low 50’s or even 40’s for the start of next week, it should be interesting to see what’s still available.

Bait should still be around after a few days of warming up, but if not, we’ll be working those artificials around structure like docks, oyster bars, seawalls and potholes. Artificials like spoons, gold and silver, Mister Twister Exudes, Cotee Grub tails, DOA Shrimp or live bait will all work and produce. Redfish over the past few weeks have been a bit scarce, but places like Palma Sola Bay , around the canals on the south side and around the islands and oysters, back in the bay should be holding some fish. The deeper docks in the Manatee River , the northern shoreline, especially the hard bottom areas have been holding some reds along with some decent flounder.

Flounder have been getting more active on the hard bottom and places that have hard bottom and soft coral. Spotted sea trout are Out of Season and will be until Jan. 1^st, so remember to catch & release for now. Another option may be silver or gray trout that seem to be getting more active over deeper grass flats.

A white Bucktail or a Swirltail plastic jig are excellent choices to catch a few. Snook will still be available around deeper docks and near deeper areas like canals and marinas. We should know pretty soon if all the action that was available just off the beach will still be happening when the wind starts coming out of a more easterly direction, allowing angler’s to get out into the Gulf

I believe it all depends on bait. If the bait is still there, or comes back, the Spanish mackerel and maybe even the kings will be back to feed on them. Another front is supposed to come through by next weekend, so with a day or so of warming up, it looks like mid-week will probably be the best bet to get out and find some fish. Here’s a nice Kingfish caught by Bill Packer while fishing with Capt. Thom, just off the beach.

GOOD FISHING, WATCH THE WEATHER & STAY WARM, CAPT THOM SMITH - FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net & “ON THE WATER WITH CAPT THOM” RADIO each Sat. morning on 1490AM, from 8:30 – 10:00 Call me toll free at 877-331-1490.

CHECK OUT Xplores.com for a great Christmas gift. If you can’t find the pliers, let me know.

HERE’S THE LATEST FROM CAPT THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

NOVEMBER 8, 2002

Another front pushed through Wednesday of this past week, cooling water temperatures down and the southwesterly winds clocked around to the northwest, after the front passed through, churning the Gulf up and mudding the water. That had an effect on the bait, pushing it more offshore, so the feeding frenzy of birds, bait and fish like kingfish, Spanish mackerel, bonita and barracuda, just off the beach has really slowed down.

By Friday, the winds had settled down some and the anglers that were able to get out to deeper water, reported kingfish, mackerel and cobia and lots of bait, from about the Three Mile Reef on out. Friday, water temperature at the Coquina Key Boat Ramp was 66 degrees early in the morning and 70 degrees in the Gulf. The only Spanish mackerel was just off the beach.

INSIDE: In Sarasota Bay, around LongBar, the redfish and trout perked up as the flats warmed up. Redfish in the 23in range were available along with trout, but remember, SEATROUT ARE OUT OF SEASON until Jan 1^st. Remember, it’s “catch & release” until then. I recommend not targeting them, because they are so fragile and a lot of times, just catching them stresses them too much and they die. You may want to mash your barbs down and use a single hook for a quick easy release.

Whitebait disappeared during the cold snap, but by Friday afternoon, bait schools with some decent usable sizes were available. Mister Twister Exudes Dart has been very effective on both the flats and the beach. The past few I’ve used on a quarter or eighth ounce jug head and it’s been great for working the pot holes on the flats by twitching it through a school of fish on the beach.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR & “ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM” RADIO, EVERY SAT. FROM 8:30-10:00AM ON 1490AM. Join me and call toll free - 877-331-1490 and let me know you read my fishing reports.

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HERE'S THE LATEST FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR: Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187
e-mail tesmls@infi.net

NOVEMBER 2, 2002

Inshore action this past week has slowed some. Redfish have disapeered from the areas I generally fish. The large schools that we've been having so much fun with, have either broken up or moved to somewhere else. Snook have remained active on the flats, but they tend to be under sized. The keeper and oversized fish tend to be near structure like deep docks, bridges & piers, or the deepwater canals and marinas. The fronts and cooler water temperatures have the snook feeding heavily on the glass minnows and white bait that's still plentiful. Trout (sea trout), will be CLOSED FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, of November & December, throughout this area. They still can be targeted for "Catch & Release", but because they are very fragile, remember to not handle them. If you are in an area that is holding trout, try not to use treble hooks. Use a single hook, mash the barbs down and try to use a de-hooker for quick release.

The beaches are still loaded with bait schools and Spanish mackerel, bonita, kingfish and barracuda and also a few big cobia. This past week, I decided to get into the action myself on the beach from Egmont Key south. The fish are easy to find. Just look for the birds crashing the bait schools. Most of the time, they're easy to find within a few 100 yards off the shoreline, out to the deeper water. Catching teniques vary from trolling to setting up, anchoring and chumming.

I prefer to anchor and chum. That way, you may have to wait awhile for them to come back around. The bait and fish are constantly on the move, so instead of chasing them around and spooking them, it's easier to remain in one spot and try to hold them by chumming.

Live bait, whitebait or pieces of white bait will get their attention.
Tackle, medium size with 12 to 20lb test is a good balance that can
handle everything from a 3lb mackerel to a 35lb kingfish. When rigging, a length of wire leader is necessary for the toothy critters. I believe that trolling in shallow water tends to break the schools of fish and bait up, and scatter them. In deeper water, they just go deep and get out of the way. Artificials, like King Spoons in gold or chartruse, Manns Stretch Series Lures and live bait like blue runners will all work when trolled around the edges of a bait school.

Bait is still fairly easy to find and will vary from peewees to larger
usable sizes found in the same school. The Skyway Pier as usual is
loaded with the bigger baits for snook and redfish.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187. Give me a call on SATURDAY MORNINGS FROM 8:30 TO 10:00 AM ON 1490 AM, FOR "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT THOM" 1490AM. Toll free # 877-331-1490 or local 745-1490.
GIVE ME YOUR FISHING REPORT, OR ASK A QUESTION ABOUT MARINE INTEREST.

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HERE’S THE LATEST FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR - Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

OCTOBER 25, 2002

Last week, we had our 1^st front of the year pushed through the area dropping water temperatures into the mid seventies. The cooler temperature seemed to turn everything on, both inshore and offshore. Redfish and snook were very active feeding on the bait schools up on the flats. The snook feel the urge to fatten up for the cooler winter months ahead. Reds were schooling and fairly easy to find, but as our weather warmed up, the fishing has slowed in the back country, at least in this general area.

This past week on the low tide, we spent a lot of time wading the pot holes on the Rattlesnake shoreline, from Miguel Bay , south to Terra Ceia Point. The holes produced a lot of trout and small snook, but very few redfish. The large schools of reds that were around a week ago are hard to find now. Reports from the Bulkhead / Seven Pines area, seem to indicate better redfish action. I’ll be checking the shoreline and some places to the south in Sarasota Bay next week.

The weather channel is predicting another front to move through this upcoming week, dropping the temperatures more to normal for this time of year. Bait is still available but a little more difficult to find, at least the larger more usable sizes.

OFFSHORE: Offshore and in Tampa Bay, large Spanish mackerel are fairly easy, kingfish from schooly size up to about 30lbs are being caught from just a few hundred yards off the beach out as far as the bait schools go. The Three Mile Artificial Reef and the hard bottom around the Five Mile Reef mark are where the bait is thick and the kings, Spanish mackerel, bonita and sometimes cobia feed on the easy pickings.

Techniques vary, but by anchoring up and chumming, can produce some pretty good results. Trolling also works and is sometimes preferred, because if it’s rough, it may be a little more comfortable to be moving and dragging a bait or artificial spoon, like a Mann’s Stretch Series Plug, a King Spoon or a spoon of some sort through the bait schools. This should result in a hookup.

Grouper and snapper fishing has improved in shallower water and some decent fish are being caught. It seems that most of the grouper are undersized. Mangrove snapper action has been fairly steady with a lot of the fish being in the 15 to 19 inch range. The bottom guys will always target the grouper, snapper, but right now, the emphasis is on kings and big mackerel for most anglers finshing in the Gulf.

Tampa Bay is also holding some nice kingfish and Spanish mackerel. In fact, there are some reports of a few twenty lb. kings caught in mid Tampa Bay .

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH, FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR, 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 E-MAIL tesmls@infi.net OR CALL ME ON MY RADIO SHOW. “ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM”, Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:00 toll free 1 877-331-1490 Give me YOUR Fishing Report.

CHECK OUT Xplores.com for the latest in FLOATING FISHING TOOLS. NEED A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT?? HOW ABOUT A “GUIDE FISHING TRIP”.

THIS IS THE FISHING REPORT FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER’S REPAIR, Bradenton , Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

OCTOBER 19, 2002

The first cold front of the year blew through the area Tuesday of last week, dropping lots of rain and our temperature into the low 60’s in the early morning hours. This also dropped the water temperatures from about 83 degrees to the mid seventies. After the front, the northerly wind made it difficult to find a comfortable place to fish that actually held fish. By Thursday afternoon, the wind had clocked around to a northeasterly direction that helped a lot. The redfish and snook, before the front were on the bite and the weather didn’t seem to have much of an effect on their appetite. The redfish are still aggressive and in the schooling mode. Redfish activity is good in a lot of different spots, throughout southern Tampa and Sarasota Bays , like the standard places, Longbar, Buttonwood Harbor , Tidy Island and Sister Keys.

Longbar is a great falling tide spot, Sister Keys and Tidy Island are excellent on a high water period, especially up against the mangroves and the white sandy holes, close to the shore. The same goes for Prices Key at the mouth of the Palma Sola Bay and the flats and little keys further up in Palma Sola, near Flamingo Cay. The Bulkhead area near Seven Pines on a high tide and over the bar, towards the Manatee River are active, as the tide falls, and before the front, snook were active in this spot!

In Terra Ceia Bay, the southern shoreline on a high tide and the deeper holes as the tide drops out is where you’ll find snook. On the outside of Rattlesnake, back up the shoreline to Big Miguel Pass, a big school of reds have been working for the past month. The school is loaded with a variety of sizes from oversized to keeper size fish. Basically, redfish are probably the most abundant and easiest to catch right now, from Cockroach Bay to the south.

Snook are feeding heavily putting on body fat for this winter. A lot have moved back inside to deep structure, like docks seawalls and the entrance to canals. There are still fish on the flats, but it seems like in my area, the larger ones have moved into the type areas I have described. Night snook fishing always produces more keeper or larger fish when you target places that have a good tidal flow, decent water depth and a light is always a plus.

Bait is back, the way it was before the front, plentiful in a variety of sizes. I really enjoy pitching artificials and Mister Twister Exudes in a variety of colors work for me. I have my favorite color and just recently it’s been chartruse, pear and pepper. I’ve caught some quality snook, trout and redfish. In the Homosassa So. Redfish Tournament, it worked for me with a lot of reds, the only problem being, they were oversized. This past week, that color rigged with a 3/0 keeper hook, produced a 26”, 9lb redfish.

Larger trout should be available soon. The trout are everywhere, but decent size is hard to come by. The drop in water temperature has really turned the Spanish mackerel and kingfish on. The kings were here before the front, by probably were pushed south by the storms in the past weeks.

Right now, the Gulf is loaded with action from just off the beach to about the Seven Mile range. Saturday, during my radio show, Capt. Jim Zacharias from Cortex called in from on the water with a fish report. They had just caught a 30lb. king about 200 yards off the beach and the action was hot and heavy with a combination of Spanish and kingfish.

Other offshore things going on include bonita, cobia and a few anglers are still concentrating on grouper. But here locally, kingfish are the main focus for the offshore folks. All in all, fall is here and the fishing is great. Hire a Guide, WE need the work!!!!

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS, ANGLER’S REPAIR AND “ON THE WATER WITH CAPT THOM”, every Saturday morning on 1490AM from 8:30-10:00 . Call me toll free - 877-331-1490 and tell me YOUR Fishing Report. 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

CHECK OUT Xplores.com for all the latest in FLOATING FISHING TOOLS.

HERE'S THE LATEST FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

After being out of town the last two weeks, doing Redfish Tournaments in Homosassa Fl. I'm finally back in town and was actually able to get out on the water this past week. "Schooling" redfish are available in quite a few different areas in lower Tampa and Sarasota Bays. To the south, Longbar and Buttonwood Harbor have some huge fish in the high 30+ inch range on the bar and along the shoreline of Whale and White Keys. Prices Key in Palma Sola Bay is another area that has a large concentration of reds. Close into the island on high tide and scattered around in the deeper pot holes on the flat, during the low tide, the Seven Pines shoreling, the Bulkhead outside of Miguel Bay and the Rattlesnake shoreline you'll find Schooling Reds. Also, Port Manatee and the Joes Island flats are other hot spots where redfish have been schooling and with a little patience, they should eventually show themselves.

When they are in the schooling mode, it's not a good idea to chase them with your trolling motor or make much noise when you're on them. Sometimes the strange noise will start them moving, making it difficult to catch up and get them to feed.

Snook activity has been steady from the beach and bays all the way into the back country. Just about all the bridges and lighted docks in the Manatee River at least docks with a decent amount of water under them, are producing some nice keeper fish. The snook on the flats tend to be smaller fish with a few keepers mixed in. Trout are still plentiful, but still on the small side. Deep grass flats and the pot holes up on the shallow flats are places to work. Never overlook a white sandy hole in the middle of the grass flat. You never know what may be hanging out. A trout, snook red or sometimes a cobia may surprise you.

Cobia have been showing up in the area, especially the river bar, the Bulkhead and the larger markers near the mouth of the Manatee River. Reports from the One and Three Mile artificial Reefs about large schools of cobia crusing the rubble, also some of the first kingfish of the year are beginning to show up.

In closer to the beach, Spanish mackerel are feeding on the bait schools and blacktip sharks are crashing the bait and the macks in a feeding frenzy. White bait is still easy to find after two weeks I was concerned about having a difficult time finding bait, but there is plenty of whitebait to be found in the usual spots. Try Key Royale, the Bulkhead and just about any flat with a good tidal flow and grass on it. Sizes vary from peewees to nice big baits. Also, pinfish are easy and plentiful.

REPAIR. 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net JOIN ME EVERY SAT. MORNING, ON 1490AM, FROM 8:30-10:00 FOR "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM". Call me 745-1490 or toll free 877-331-1490, and give me YOUR fishing report.

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THIS IS THE LATEST FISHING REPORT FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR. Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187
e-mail tesmls@infi.net

SEPTEMBER 20, 2002

This weeks report is going to be on the short side, as I have been in
the Shop most of the week, and could only get out to fish one day this past week. Redfish have been the main attraction and the most
cooperative. The Seven Pines area near the Bulkhead, Terra Ceia, Miguel and Joes Bays have all been excellent areas, especially on the extra high midday tides. The fish have been right up in the mangrove roots and oysters on the shoreline.

A lively whitebait or pinfish should get their attention and by using a
technique I use in this type of a situation, which is to keep a live
bait that really doesn't want to stay back up under the bushes, back
there. I'll use a slip sinker above the leader and a quality swivel,
(normally I tie line to line), to act as a stopper for the weight. The
slip sinker serves two purposes. First to hold the bait where you cast it and second, for the line to slip through it so the fish feels very
little resistance when they pick the bait up.

Low tides should produce too, but I haven't been able to get out during low tide periods because of the time of day or the afternoon storms that seem to show up at that low tide time of the day. Snook are becoming a bit more aggressive in the backcountry of Miguel Bay and it seems like any little indentations in the mangroves is holding at least a few snook.

Trout are plentiful on just about any grass flat in a few feet of water.
The problem has been size. It's been easy to catch one after another, but to catch a keeper size or larger is difficult. Artificials like the Cotee Swirltail or Chubby Grub in chartruse Glow or Silver will produce. Mister Twister Exudes will work also, but I prefer to use them more for snook and reds, due to the scent that they release and the quality of fish that they catch.

Big Spanish Mackeral are still all over Tampa Bay feeding on the bait schools. A lively whitebait or any artificial with a little flash will
work on the macks. BAIT is still easy on just about any patch of grass. A variety of sizes are available and a lot of times, they're mixed together with the peewees on top and the larger bait down deeper in the grass.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS, ANGLER'S REPAIR AND "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM" RADIO SHOW ON 1490AM, EVERY SAT. FROM 8:30-10:00AM. 941-795-6711 E-MAIL tesmls@infi.net

ALSO XPLORES (Xplores.com) AND THE XPLORES FISHING TEAM. (I will be fishing the XTREME CHALLENGE / SO. REDFISH TOURNAMENT IN HOMOSASSA THIS
COMING WEEKEND). I'll let you know how we do.

HERE'S WHAT'S NEW WITH CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

SEPT. 14, 2002

Lots of rain from a tropical depression and eventually, Tropical Storm Hanna made this past week very difficult to spend any time fishing or even just getting out on the water. With the storm gone, this next week should be a lot better with some 4 tide days and big high tides as we move toward a full moon on the 21st. The better tidel flow should have a flushing effect on all the freshwater flowing out of the Manatee River and various creeks.

Redfish are in their schooling process in a few different areas.
LongBar in Sarasota Bay, the flats between Prices Key and Flamingo Cay in Palma Sola, especially the oyster bars on the northern shoreline, all have some very large oversized fish hanging close to the bars and on the higher tides, the backside of Prices, reds are being caught from right up and into the mangroves. The Seven Pines area behind the Bulkhead is an area producing snook, trout, redfish and some pompano on lower tides, the snook and reds move out and over the sand bar and fall into the deeper holes on the river side. Terra Ceia and Miguel Bays are also excellent areas that are holding redfish and again, by pitching a live bait or artificial like a Mister Twister Exude, rigged weedless into the oysters and mangrove roots, you may hook up on a oversized red or snook, that's taking advantage of the extra water and new areas, to look for a meal.

In Tampa Bay near Miguel Bay, the most productive time is on the lower tides when the fish drop off the flats into the pot holes and by wading from hole to hole, it's a lot of fun to check out each hole and bend a rod. In this particular place you never know what you may hook into. It may be a larger fish that on a higher tide could be a lot of trouble for a wader, but in the low water, it will contain the fish in a smaller area. Snook since the season opened have mostly been on the small size with a few larger slot size available on the flats and open water.

Larger snook tend to move into a structure tuype of an area, docks, piers and bridges are all excellent places that will hold big snook. If you fish at night, focus on the lights by working the edges and shadow lines for the possibility of a hook up Mackeral and some bluefish have been working the bait schools in Tampa Bay and just off the beach. Also, mangrove snapper are still available in the Intercoastal Waterway and around the Skyway Pier and the artificial rees throught the area.

Bait at least before all the rain was readily available, so if it's not
back right now, it will be shortly in all the regular p[laces. The
Skyway, the Bulkhead and the Key Royale Flats as well as a lot of the grass flats around southern Tampa Bay.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S RELAIR, AND "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT THOM", my Sat. morning radio show on 1490AM from 8:30 - 10:00. REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT XPLORES.COM for a great line of FLOATING FISHING TOOLS.

THIS IS THE LATEST FISHING NEWS FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS, ANGLER'S REPAIR, "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM" RADIO SHOW, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

JOIN ME EVERY SATURDAY ON THE RADIO, 1490AM FROM 8:30-10:00 FOR "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM".
CALL toll free 1- 877-331-1490 and let me know you read my fishing reports on FishOrShutUp.com.

SEPT. 7, 2002

Even though snook season officially opened last week and there are snook available, my focus has been on redfish. The reds are schooling in different areas from Bishops Harbor, south to the Long Bar area. I haven't been down to LongBar, but there are reports coming in from that general area. For me the most productive tide has been the outgoing, when the reds fall off of the bar and into the pot holes on the north side. Further to the north, Palma Sola Bay is beginning to pick up in the back waters and around the Islands midway up the Bay, especially the islands with oyster bars around them.

The Seven Pines shoreline and the Bulkhead flats are other areas that redfish are schooling. Last week, we observed a huge school working the Rattlesnake shoreline from the tip of Rattlesnake back to the mouth of Miguel Bay on the Tampa Bayside, but with the big high tides, we've had this week, it's been hard to spot the schools with all the extra water.

Joes Bay and Mariposa Point are other spots that I've observed some schooling reds, but in this particular area, the fish seem to be smaller more in the slot limit, where in the other locations, it tends to be a mix of oversized and slot fish. Snook have finished their spawning period and most have moved back inside toward the back country. There still are snook in LongBoat Pass and points into Tampa Bay like Emerson, Terra Ceia Point and the channels leading into Miguel and Joe's Bays.

Recently, we've had quite a bit of rain and all of the fresh water
flowing out of the Manatee and Braden Rivers, is keeping the water dark and salinity down. It doesn't seem to affect the snook much, but the reds and trout fishing seems to be better away from the river. Trout seem to be everywhere on the flats, but it's hard to find any big trophy size fish. Recently, it's been more fun and very productive for me to work artificials like Mister Twister Exudes RT Slugs in the Rainbow Shad, Baby Bass and Golden Bream colors to catch a variety of fish from snook to reds to mackerel, jacks and ladyfish. Not only can you catch fish, you can also cover a lot of water, by casting to pot holes, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines and over grass flats.

Although bait is readily available in the old standby places like the
Bulkhead, Key Royale Flats and the Skyway, I find it more enjoyable to catch fish on artificials. Mangrove snapper are still on the structure of the rock ledges in the Egmont Channel and the Intercoastal Water Way, and also the Skyway and Egmont Artificial Reefs are loaded with mangroves, Key West grunts and small lane snapper.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net JOIN ME ON SATURDAY MORNING FROM 8:30 - 10:00AM
1490AM, FOR "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT THOM". Call and give me your Fishing Report - toll free 1-877-331-1490.

CHECK OUT Xplores.com for the greatest FLOATING FISHING TOOLS. WANT TO GO FISHING ON THE XPLORES BOAT, GIVE ME A CALL.

HERE'S THE LATEST FISHING REPORT FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF ANGLER'S
REPAIR, FLATS LADY CHARTERS & "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM", Weekly
Radio show 1490AM, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail
tesmls@infi.net

AUGUST 24TH, 2002

Anglers that, took advantage of the big incoming tide, by fishing early and the end of the outgoing tide, by fishing late in the day, were able to produce some decent catch & release snook and redfish action. Redfish are becoming more active and showing signs of getting together in schools in Joe's Bay, the Bulkhead and the flats off of Rattlesnake Key. So far no large schools but smaller pods on the lower end of the tide have been the most productive time to find and catch them. Common sense tells you that less water eliminates a lot of places they can be! Numbers in these smaller pods range from 6 to 10 fish and it seems like a little more competition makes them more apt to feed.

Sizes vary in the schools from 22" up to oversized fish in the 30"
range. The area I've been targeting has been basically from Perico
Bayou, back to the northeast. (The Joes' Bay, Bishops Harbor areas). Larger white bait are now available, but artificials like the Mister Twister Exudes in the golden brim, watermelon and smoking shad are all excellent choices and hard for a Red to turn down.

Snook will be back in season Sept. 1st and it seems like they've
completed their spawn and moved back inside. There are still some fish on Rattlesnake and Emerson Points, but we've also caught a lot of fish back in the Manatee River and Terra Ceia, Miguel and Joes's Bays. When the season opens, the snook should be fairly cooperative. There is a lot of bait in a variety of sizes around and everything is feeding on
them.

Trout of decent size are difficult right now. There are loads of small
fish available, but larger trout of 20" or larger are hard to come by.
Mangrove snapper is a nice change of pace that can bend a rod on a feisty little fish (at least the ones inshore). They put up a heck of a
fight and are great on the table. The Skyway Ships Channel and the rock edges and rubble are great places to check out. The water depth ranges from 20 ft. to 30 ft. or so is good, but the deeper water tends to hold larger fish in 16 to 20 inch range.

Preferred baits include pieces of shrimp and the small white bait that's everywhere right now. Pompano have been on a tear lately in the upper bay around the Gandy Bridge and Howard Franklin Bridge, but in our area, the Skyway Pier, both north and south are experiencing a pretty good run for anglers using shrimp, fiddler crabs and artificials like Doc's Goofy Jigs and the traditional Cannonball Pompano Jig.

Bait is everywhere. The Bulkhead is covered, Emerson Point and the Key Royale Flats all have lots of bait and it's easy to get a baitwell full. It does take a little longer to get the larger snook and redfish size.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR. Bradenton 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

JOIN ME ON SATURDAY MORNINGS FOR "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM" 1490AM,
from 8:30 - 10:00. Give me a call toll free at 877-331-1490, with your question or Fishing Report.

FOR THE BEST FLOATING FISHING TOOLS, CHECK OUT Xplores.com Want to go fishing? That is the boat you will go on.

HERE'S THE LATEST FROM CAPT THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS, ANGLER'S REPAIR, and ON THE WATER" RADIO SHOW. Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

AUGUST 16, 2002

Lots of rain this week has introduced a lot of dark fresh water flowing out of the Manatee River and all of the small creeks into Southern Tampa Bay. The fresh water has dropped water temperatures a few degrees and hopefully it will help the redfish into a schooling mode. Actually this weeks fishing has been fairly productive for reds in a variety of places. The Seven Pines area has been holding some decent action, with some slot size fish up to 29 or 30 inches.

Joes Bay and the flats outside of Bishops' Harbor are traditionally good spots as we move into fall. I've heard of some decent action in Terra Ceia Bay, but I haven't experienced any of it yet. There is supposed to be some larger oversized reds available. Snook Season is right around the corner!!!! They seem to have just about completed their spawn and alot have moved back inside the back bays and we've been having a ball catching and releasing them. "Mr. Twister" Exudes in the smoking shad and golden brim colors have been edxtra productive over this past week, with snook to 28", redfish to 29" and loads of sea trout being caught on those two colors.

The Piers of both the North and South Skyway System have been excellent for big Spanish mackeral, mangrove snapper and a terrific pompano run that has been keeping the pier anglers happy and very busy. Mangrove snapper throughout the area have been cooperative on structure, whether it be the rubble in the Ships Channel, the Artificial Reefs or the rock ledges of the Intercoastal. The snapper are available in a variety of sizes from barely legal to 16 to 18inches, which is big for inshore.

Stout tackle with 12 to 20 lb. test being necessary to land these tough little fish. Bait can vary from shrimp, pinfish and right now there are small bite size (for the snapper) whitebait everywhere on the flats. Actually the larger snook and redfish size baits are around, but it does take some time to find them. It also may take some culling through a lot of smaller baits to get the ones you want. Spanish mackerel are scatter from the beach, up into Tampa Bay around the Skyway. Sizes vary with a lot of larger mackerel around. In the past, a successful technique has been anchoring up and chumming pieces of live white bait into the current. That should bring them to the boat, bend a rod and give the drag a workout.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH FLATS LADY CHARTERS, ANGLER'S REPAIR, and "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM" 941-795-6711 & 776-1187
e-mail tesmls@infi.net

CHECK OUT Xplores.com FOR THE VERY LATEST IN FLOATING FISHING TOOLS.
REMEMBER SNOOK SEASON IS ABOUT TO OPEN, SO GET YOUR CHARTERS BOOKED NOW, AND JOIN ME ON THE "XPLORES" BOAT FOR A GREAT FISHING TRIP!

HERE'S THE LATEST FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR & "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM" Radio , Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

A little better tidal flow has helped the fishing this past week. A higher low tide incoming to a big high tide is allowing the reds and snook to get way back under the mangroves to feed and seems make the fish more cooperative. In situations like this past week, to catch fish you have to make a cast into and up under the bushes. Mr. Twister Exudes in watermelon, golden brim and smoking shad all worked for reds and snook. An eighth ounce jig head or rigged weedless is the way to go, because of the roots and oysters. Redfish in some areas are showing signs of schooling, but so far no large groups. In Joes Bay, they are in small groups up to a half dozen or so and it seems like you can get 1 or 2 to bite and then they shut down.

Terra Ceia Bay is about the same, but the fish are a little bigger in the 24 to 26 inch range. LongBar in Sarasota Bay seems to have the largest concentration. The last of the outgoing tide always seems to be the best time to target that particular spot. The fish drop off of the bar and backcountry and into the deeper holes on the north side and stay there until the tide starts to come backin.

Trout are plentiful, but most are on the small side with a trophy trout hard to find. Snook season opens Sept. 1st. so remember "catch & release" until then. Snook are stacked up on Emerson Point, Rattlesnake and passes like Longboat Pass. Inside the bay, the water is dark and that makes it hare to see the fish, but in Longboat Pass, the water is clear and the fish are very visible. The "Dog Days" of summer are upon us and by fishing early and late in the day, may make your chances to catch fish.

During July and August, the mangrove snapper turn on and provide a different option to try. Structure, whether it be artificial or natural will hold some nice size mangrove snapper. Not the larger offshore fish, but more likely in the 13 to 16 inch range. A stout rod and 12 to 20lb test line is necessary. They're small but strong little fish.

The Bays are full of bait. Most are in the peewee stage, so it takes alot of searching to find some usable size ones for snook and reds. The little ones are great for the snappers. Spanish mackerel, blues, jacks and ladyfish are all working the bait and eager to cooperate if you just want to have fun and bend a rod.

GOOD FISHING & JOIN ME EVERY SAT. AM ON 1490am FOR "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM" for the latest fishing news, reports, and just about everything Marine related. Call me toll free if you just have a question or your own fishing report to give. 1-877-331-1490 or 745-1490 local, (from 8:30 - 10:00AM) Saturdays.

FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR, 941-795-6711 776-1187 E-MAIL tesmls@infi.net REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT Xplores.com FOR ALL THE LATEST IN FLOATING FISHING TOOLS. If you want them and can't get them, let me know.

FINALLY, HERE'S THE LATEST FROM CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS
& ANGLER'S REPAIR, Bradenton, Fl 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

AUGUST 4, 2002

After weeks of Fishing Tournaments and being out of town, I've found it a bit difficult to get a report out, but with a break in the tournament schedule; I'll try to do better.

August finds water temperatures inside pushing the ninety degree mark in the early morning hours and heat up even more during the day. The old saying,"fish early and late", makes sense this time of the year. Not only is it cooler, but the fish are more active and eager to bite.
Snook are still Out of Season until Sept 1st. Passes like longboat and points like Emerson and Rattlesnake are still loaded with spawning fish, but a lot have finished and moved back inside. Remember it's still catch and release until the end of the month. Max Muller, CEO of Xplores caught and release some beautiful snook in Longboat Pass, fishing out of the Xplores boat.

Redfish are scarce. There are a few pods of fish that seem to act like they are starting to school up, but no large groups. Areas like Bishops Harbor, Joe's Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, Palma Sola and long Bar have some reds, but it usually takes some searching to locate the fish. I prefer the outgoing tide to move the reds off of the flats into the pot holes and edges adjacent to the flat. Trout are plentiful, but a lot of times on the small side. The larger trout will be up in the flats during the cooler periods of the day, but during the mid day, they tend to move onto the deeper cooler flats to stay comfortable.

Mangrove snapper activity has picked up quite a bit over the past month. Structure in deeper water is another option during these "Dog Days". The Skyway Reef, both north and south, the Ships Channel, cut A and B, both have rock and rubble strewn all over the bottom. They are prime snapper spots. The rocks of Rattlesnake and the rock edges of the intercoastal water way, south of Longboat Pass are a few other spots to check out. Mangrove snapper are not only feisty for their small size, but pretty tasty on the table.

Spanish mackerel are plentiful just off the beach and in Tampa Bay.
Sizes vary, but this time of the year, they average about 18 to 20
inches. Bluefish and Pompano and a few cobia around the markers and in the passes are other options for the difficult summer months.

Whitebait is everywhere, but mostly small and it takes time and patience to sort through the peewees to find some useable size baits for snook, redfish and trout. The mangroves love those smaller bit size baits too.

TARPON MANIA is in full bloom throughout the area. The beaches are loaded from Egmont Key, south to Boca Grande. Also, inside the Skyway is still holding fish, but they are moving down the Rattlesnake shoreline, Terra Ceia Point, the Bulkhead and around Bean Point on the north end of Anna Maria Island, as they work their way into the Gulf.
Anglers using live bait, like pass crabs, threadfins and big whitebait
have been jumping and even landing a few fish. So far, there seems to be a lot of fish over the 100 lb. mark. Tarpon are available and
probably the best bet if you don't mind wrestling with them for awhile.
Personally, I like to get a hookup, a few jumps, and send the fish on
its way, rather than a long drawn out fight.

Snook are Out of Season, until Sept 1st, so for now, it's catch &
release. A lot of snook have made a move to the passes and points into Tampa Bay and the Gulf for their spawn. The mouth of small bays like, Bishops Harbor, Miguel, Terra Ceia and Palma Sola Bays and also LongBoat Pass in the Gulf are all areas they go to spawn. Redfish have been slow. It seems to be either smaller fish or oversized in the 30" range that have been the most active on the outgoing and lower tides.
Actually, the outgoing seems to be the most productive for reds, snook and trout, especially in the late afternoon when the fish seem to get hungry.

Trout have been plentiful, but mostly on the small side. Sister Keys to the south has been an excellent spot for some nice big fish. The sandy holes up on the flats have been holding some nice trophy size fish.
Spanish mackerel in Tampa Bay and in the Gulf are feeding heavily on the large schools of bait. Cobia on or around the markers in the Manatee River and in Tampa Bay are another option. By running from marker to marker, it keeps you a little cooler by creating a breeze and there's a good chance you may spot a cobia on the structure. If you don't see anything when you first pull up to your spot, you might try to chum the bouy with some jack mackerel to create some interest.

Make sure your tackle is up to the task, because sometimes a big cobia will break you off immediately on the structure. Bait of size is
beginning to thin out, so it may take some patience to find and catch
some bait that's the right size for you. The south Skyway Pier, Key
Royale, Bulkhead and the beaches are all places you may want to look.

Sorry, no OFFSHORE reports for this week, but the Inside is very active.
Remember, the weather is going to be changing soon to our afternoon storms, so always be aware of the weather.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S
REPAIR, Bradenton 941-795-6711 & 776-1187 e-mail tesmls@infi.net

DON'T FORGET TO JOIN ME ON SAT. MORNING FROM 8:30-10;00 FOR "ON THE
WATER WITH CAPT THOM" ON 1490AM. CALL ME AT: local 745-1490 or toll
free 1-877-331-1490. Let me know you enjoy my Fishing Reports OR JUST
ASK A QUESTION, OR SHARE A FISHING REPORT OF YOUR OWN.

ALSO, CHECK OUT Xplores.com FOR ALL THE LATEST IN FLOATING FISHING
TOOLS.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR,
Bradenton 941-795-6711 & 776-1187

Email tesmls@infi.net

JOIN ME EVERY SATURDAY ON THE RADIO, 1490AM FROM 8:30-10:00 FOR "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM".
CALL toll free 1-877-331-1490 and let me know you read my fishing reports on FishOrShutUp.com.

MAY 25, 2002

OFFSHORE:

This past week has been wind, wind and more wind, out of the East, and leaving very few comfortable places to fish. Offshore reports have been few and far between. The One Mile and possibly the Three Mile Artificial Reefs would probably be the best spots for any type of offshore action. Permit have been in the general area of the Three Mile Reef and anglers using live crabs have been scoring pretty regularly by being on the spot early, before the boat traffic picks up and spooks the fish.

Live crabs, shrimp and artificials like Doc's Goofy Jigs with a small bit of shrimp for scent has been most effective around the structure. Cobia have thinned out but some are still available and during the full moon period, the mangrove snapper should be in a feeding mood. Closer to the beach and by using the Islands as a wind buffer, the Tarpon season is off to a good start from Bean Point south to Siesta Key. Pods of tarpon are available especially over the rocky areas, like Spanish Rocks and Whitney Beach. Again, crabs are a good live bait choice along with big white bait and threadfins. Actually, threadfins alive or dead can get you a hook up.

INSIDE / INSHORE: As I mentioned, the wind has been a problem and the stiff easterly winds have kept the tide from filling in on the high tide period. Also, during this windy time, water temperatures have dropped about 12 degrees from 85 to 73 degrees. Under these conditions, the fish have been off the bite until the sun warms the flats up in the afternoon. You can catch some fish early in the day, but later in the day, the fishing seems to get better.

Snook are still spread out from the back bays to the beach. Snook Season is Closed and we're not sure what this weather change will do to the spawn, if anything. When the winds lay down, we'll warm up again quick. Redfish fishing has been hit & miss. The low tide situation has been pretty good, eliminating places they can't be, but finding them has been difficult. Redfish don't seem to be as affected by the cooler water temps, so this up coming week, I'll be out "Pre-fishing" for next weekends Southern Redfish Tournament, out of Bahia Beach. (If you need information on this Tournament, contact me at: 941-795-6711).

The wind shift to the southeast should allow us to fish the southeastern shoreline of Tampa Bay. Trout sizes have been on the small side with a few larger fish available in areas protected from the wind. The bait situation is still good on the Bulkhead, Key Royale, and of course the Skyway.

GOOD FISHING, CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR, Bradenton 941-795-6711 & 776-1187

e-mail tesmls@infi.net

JOIN ME EVERY SATURDAY ON THE RADIO, 1490AM FROM 8:30-10:00 FOR "ON THE WATER WITH CAPT. THOM". CALL toll free 1- 877-331-1490 and let me know you read my fishing reports.

REMEMBER, CHECK OUT www.Xplores.com for all the latest in the best "FLOATING" FISHING TOOLS.