Fisherman's Calendar

KEY TO SYMBOLS

FG=fishing good; FF=fishing fair; FP=fishing poor.
OG=outlook good; OP=outlook poor.

MACKEREL: LOUISIANA: Not due until March, Spanish mackerel turned up in Grand Isle waters in force last week and have taken play away from the blues (but Gulf has been too bouncy for all but seasoned sailors); OG through Feb.

FLORIDA: Schools are skimpy and skittish in Biscayne Bay and OP throughout entire area.

COBIA: FLORIDA: Dr. Anthony M. Lance of North Miami set a Metropolitan Miami Tournament record with an 18-pound cobia caught on spinning tackle last week. Dr. Lance is blind.

BLACK BASS: TENNESSEE: Center Hill Lake producing bass to 8 pounds near mud points, with gig fishermen doing best. Dale Hollow Lake reports FG; Cherokee Lake FF; Norris Lake points yielding big bass (and TVA netting crew says they took and released 11-pound 12-ounce smallmouth).

FLORIDA: FF in most central Florida lakes, with best results from slow-trolled deep-running lures; Lake Carlton (near Mt. Dora) is best bet, or try lakes Harris and Howey when cold windy weather improves. In lower Apalachicola River largemouths dote on live shrimp fished at 4-to-6-foot depth, and OG if weather warms. Ochlockonee River at Parkerson's Landing (10 miles north of Tallahassee) is best bet in north Florida—try a silver spoon near new Quincy Highway bridge. In south of state, try unnamed back-road ponds along edge of Everglades with popper plugs or fly-rod bugs.

CALIFORNIA: Lake Mead erupted last week with bigmouth limits to 6 pounds, and old-timers predict early spring season. In northern Calif., Clear Lake (open all year) reports FG on bait.

MISSISSIPPI: Rain-muddied waters make FP in most of state.

MISSOURI: FG in Lake Taneycomo. with live minnows doing brisk business and outlook excellent. Upper Lake Bull Shoals still low but in top fishing condition otherwise, and OG.