I've been alternating over the last couple of weeks between saltwater and freshwater fishing. Both have been decent. There has been nothing spectacular, but I'm catching fish.
My freshwater "go-to" lake is Lake Manatee, a 2,500-acre body of water located nine miles east of Interstate 75 off State Road 64 near Bradenton, Fla. It's not an easy lake to fish, but it's productive once you learn her nuances.
One trip last week resutled in more than 100 fish, including 103 bluegill, five shellcracker, three bass and three channel cats.
Top flies were the Myakka Minnow, nymphs and poppers.
We had a cold front move through this morning and that could kick the speckled perch (black crappie) in gear. Specks average 2 pounds at Lake Manatee and readily take a fly.