SARASOTA: On the water with captain Rick Grassett, (941) 923-7799: Fifteen tarpon were fish-hooked and eight landed on spinning tackle with live crabs. The schools of tarpon are large; sizes range from 70 to 140 pounds.

BRADENTON: Perico Harbor Bait & Tackle, (941) 795-8433: Night snook action is good, but it is catch-and-release only. Pompano are on the beaches, permit are on the artificial reefs and tarpon are everywhere.

LOWER TAMPA BAY: Captain Sergio Atanes, (813) 973-7132: Snook are easy to catch. Fish the mangrove edges and pot holes from Cockroach Bay to Apollo Beach. Fish the change of tides. If you get a change early or late, don't miss the chance to catch snook.

UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B's Quality Bait & Tackle, (813) 885-9811: Big redfish are being caught at the mouth of Double Branch and all the other creeks, and redfish on shrimp. Snook catch-and-release is excellent on live greenbacks, shrimp or chubs.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins, (727) 560-6762: Tarpon on live crabs, flies or lures are the ticket to a 140-pound silver king. Snook are at their best. Fish topwater lures, jigs or flies. Natural color flies seem to be doing best. Live and dead bait also work.

SKYWAY, UPPER BAY AND OFFSHORE: Captain James Wisner, (813) 784-5658: Tarpon fishing is diverted only by permit. Permit are on the wrecks and offer a real trophy. Large tarpon to 140 pounds are to be found in the Sunshine Skyway bridge areas.

FISHING PIERS: South Pier, (941) 729-0117: Fish the pier for mackerel, speckled trout, silver trout, redfish, bluefish, an occasional snook, flounder and even a stray grouper. Live or cut bait is best to use.

MID-PINELLAS PARTY BOATS: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard's John's Pass Marina and Kingfish Dock, (727) 393-1947: Fish offshore in 50 feet for red and gag grouper, mangrove snapper and gray snapper. Some kingfish and mackerel are available.

GANDY BAIT & TACKLE: (813) 839-5551: Tarpon are thick in the upper bay. Cobia are being caught off the bridges. Big snook are taking live bait for catch-and-release.

CLEARWATER: Captain Richard Howard, Largo Fishing School, (727) 446-8962: Inshore action consists mostly of tarpon and snook (both catch-and-release fish). Snook are along the mangroves and on the beaches and in the passes.

TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox, (727) 376-8809: Tarpon fishing off the beaches is great in the early morning. Snook action is good in the passes and on the beaches. Cobia and redfish are on the flats, mostly to the north of Tarpon Springs.