Fish this freshwater frenzy

Now's the time to go after bass and bluegill in any appropriate freshwater lake, pond, or stream.

For bluegill, there are tons of grass shrimp around, an anglers can pick them up scraping nets against shoreline vegetation. Put the grass shrimp under a 10 to 12 foot extension pole with a No. 12 gold hook, add a split shot one foot above the hook, and flip the bait into shoreline pockets.

Recently hatched bluegill is coming off beds, and bass wait off the beds for the hatchery bait. Simply drop a fly or jig with a small hook (No. 10 to No. 14) with bluegill colors (purple and blue, or similar patterns), or something in yellow and white, which represents large mosquitos.

Because of drought conditions in areas such as Myakka River State Park and Lake Evers, decreased water levels has congregated bait for freshwater fish to gorge themselves on. That's one of the reasons behind the reports of such fat bluegill in these areas, including Cooper Creek. Bluegill typically spawn through August.

By the way, a great lure for bass, as you may or may not know, is a Rattle Trap in gold color, since gold seems to draw more strikes in tannin-stained waters. Get one with purple and blue on it, or even color purple and blue streaks onto the lure with permanent magic markers.