Times wires
Saturday, August 4, 2012

Dodgers 3, Cubs 1

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw pitched seven three-hit innings and Matt Kemp homered, keeping the Cubs' Chris Volstad winless in his past 21 starts. Kershaw helped the Dodgers remain a game behind the first-place Giants in the NL West. The reigning Cy Young Award winner, coming off a five-hit shutout against San Francisco last Sunday, allowed his only run on Alfonso Soriano's fourth-inning double while improving his ERA to 2.88.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Giants 11, Rockies 6

DENVER — Angel Pagan homered and Madison Bumgarner had a solid outing for the Giants, who had a season-high 17 hits and beat the Rockies for the fifth time in seven games this season.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Mets 6, Padres 2

SAN DIEGO — Jeremy Hefner, making his third start in place of the injured Johan Santana, pitched six solid innings, and the Mets took advantage of Edinson Volquez's wildness. Volquez walked four in 1⅔ innings, two with the bases loaded, and has a major league-high 84.

Times staff
Saturday, August 4, 2012

Baseball

Yankees at Tigers, 7 p.m., ESPN

Olympics

4 a.m. – 8 p.m. NBCSN

• Basketball (M) – Australia-Russia (LIVE, 4 a.m.), U.S. vs. Argentina (LIVE, 5:15 p.m.)

• Field hockey (W) – U.S.-South Africa (LIVE, 5:45 a.m.)

• Soccer (W) – Semifinal, U.S.-Canada (LIVE, 2:45 p.m.)

• Volleyball (M) – Qualifying (LIVE)

• Weightlifting (M) – Final

• Shooting (M) – Final

• Table Tennis (W) – Team semifinal

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. TELEMUNDO

• Track and field – Qualifying

• Volleyball (M) – Qualifying

• Synchronized Swimming – Duet qualifying

• Beach volleyball (M) – Quarterfinals

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. MSNBC

• Beach volleyball (M) – Quarterfinals (LIVE)

• Basketball (M) – Spain vs. Brazil (LIVE)

• Wrestling – Greco-Roman finals (LIVE)

• Table Tennis (M) – Team semifinals

• Field hockey (W) – Qualifying

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ch. 8

• Track and field – Women's steeplechase final; qualifying

• Volleyball (M) – U.S. vs. Tunisia (LIVE, 3 p.m.)

• Water Polo (M) – U.S. vs. Hungary (LIVE, 10:30 a.m.)

• Cycling (W) – Omnium

• Equestrian – Team jumping final

• Synchronized swimming – duet qualifying

• Canoeing – Heats

5 – 8 p.m. CNBC

• Boxing (M, W)– Quarterfinals

• Water polo (M) – Qualifying

8 p.m. – Midnight Ch. 8

• Gymnastics – Individual event finals: men's rings, vault; women's uneven bars

• Track and field – finals: men's 400M, 400M hurdles; women's pole vault

• Beach volleyball (M) – Quarterfinal, U.S.-Latvia

• Diving (M) – 3M qualifying

Midnight – 2:30 a.m. TELEMUNDO

• Track and field – Finals

• Gymnastics – Individual event finals

• Diving (M) – 3M Qualifying

• Boxing (M) – Quarterfinals

12:35 – 1:35 a.m. Ch. 8

• Track and field – finals

• Beach volleyball (M) – Quarterfinal

(M) – men's event; (W) – women's event

See a full day-by-day TV schedule attampabay.com/londonolympics.

All events streamed live at NBCOlympics.com.

Tennis

ATP: Rogers Cup, 1 p.m., Tennis

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 5, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — At this point, Evan Longoria on one good leg would have to help.

The Rays continued their parade of silence at the plate Sunday, losing 1-0 to the Orioles in 10 innings, being shut out in back-to-back games by the same team for the first time in eight years and extending their scoreless streak to 21 innings, five from the team record.

And in doing so, they wasted another dazzling pitching performance, eight zeroes from David Price, and gave away whatever momentum they had gained, dropping to 56-52 and back to fifth in the AL wild-card chase.

Amid the familiar postgame refrain — "We just have to get better," manager Joe Maddon said, again — were two different thoughts:

Longoria coming back as soon as Tuesday, and — queue up the critics on Line 2 — Maddon saying he wants the hitters to do less work before games.

The possibility of Longoria's return — the star third baseman last played April 30 — finally seems real, 50-50 for Tuesday in Maddon's estimation, maybe more in Longoria's mind.

"You're not scoring runs, you want to get people back obviously, but you've got to make sure that he's ready and well to do that," Maddon said.

After going 2-for-3 (and sliding for the first time) Sunday for Triple-A Durham, his fourth straight game and eighth overall (5-for-25, seven walks), Longoria said he pretty much was.

"Overall the at-bats were better, and I felt better,'' he said in Durham. "My legs are recovering. I'm not feeling the amount of soreness or fatigue that I was feeling. So it's one of those things where I hope that's a possibility.''

And even though he would be limited to DH duties, and probably won't be able to play every day, and likely will need some time to get re-acclimated to big-league pitching, Longoria's return can only be a plus to a team that has scored three or fewer runs in 11 of its past 14 games and has six or fewer hits in 40 of its 108 games.

"It definitely does something different to your lineup regarding who hits where, that kind of stuff," Maddon said. "No question it would have some kind of positive impact. A hitter of his magnitude in your lineup always does. But my expectations aren't that he's just going to come in and just start railing on the baseball. … I believe he's going to have to work his way through it and get back up to speed with major-league baseball players playing in August."

No matter what Longoria does, or when Luke Scott returns, the other Rays need to do more anyway. They were 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position for the three-game series, matching the Orioles at a major-league-low .234 in those situations, and are down to .230 overall.

For another illustration, consider at the critical moment in Sunday's game, with the winning run on second and two outs, the Orioles intentionally walked .196-hitting Carlos Peña so they could face — and strike out — .097-hitting Ryan Roberts, whom Maddon considered their best shot. "It's very frustrating," Roberts said.

"The guys that are here are capable players also," Maddon said. "We have to get the guys that are here to perform at the level they can."

In an attempt to do that, Maddon plans to curtail batting practice and structured pregame work, considering the standard routine "eye wash" that doesn't do much good.

"I really want them to do less," Maddon said. "I'd rather go American Legion right now — just show up and play. There's something to be said for that."

Maybe, less will be more. Though Maddon was reluctant to say it was rock bottom, it would seem there's only one way for the offense to go.

"If I was the Orioles, I'd be really upset giving up two runs in three games and only winning two," he said. "They've got to be leaving here very upset about that."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Pirates 6, Reds 2

CINCINNATI — A.J. Burnett improved to 7-2 after a Pittsburgh loss and went to 3-0 against Cincinnati this season, and Starling Marte hit a tiebreaking two-run triple to help the Pirates salvage the finale of their three-game series. Pittsburgh snapped the Reds' win streak at five. "I've never had an ace before," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We have a guy with the experience A.J. brought with him."

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Red Sox 6, Twins 4

BOSTON — Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer and former Ray Carl Crawford had a big day on his 31st birthday as Boston averted a four-game sweep by the AL's second-worst team. Crawford had three singles, an RBI and a leaping catch for the Red Sox, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Josh Willingham and Ryan Doumit homered for Minnesota.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Nationals 4, Marlins 1

WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg pitched six shutout innings and drove in two runs, rebounding from his poorest outing this season to lead Washington. Strasburg extended his scoreless streak against Miami to 27 innings and hit a two-run single in the second. He has pitched 1271/3 innings in his first full season since reconstructive elbow surgery in 2010. He is thought to have a limit of about 160.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Phillies 5, D'backs 4

PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard, struggling after missing most of the season with an injury, singled in the winner in the ninth inning to rally Philadelphia. "It's just been a timing issue," said Howard, who is batting .208 in 23 games since being activated. "I've been kind of in between, start too late, start too early. I've got to find the happy place."

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Royals 7, Rangers 6

10 innings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Errors by Alberto Gonzalez and Mike Olt within three pitches allowed Kansas City to score the winner. Shortstop Gonzalez booted Salvador Perez's grounder as Eric Hosmer took third, then third baseman Olt threw Jeff Francoeur's grounder into right.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Yankees 6, Mariners 2

NEW YORK — Freddy Garcia posted his 150th career victory and Raul Ibanez, his former teammate in Seattle, homered and drove in three runs as New York wrapped up a 4-5 homestand. "For me, it's another win," Garcia said. "Hopefully, more are coming." He lasted five innings on a sticky afternoon and preserved a one-run lead with his final pitch, retiring Kyle Seager with two runners on.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Garrett Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead Sunday in a dorm room at the NFL team's Lehigh University training camp, where he spent most of his summers with his father.

The police chief at Lehigh, Edward Shupp, said a 911 call was made at 7:20 a.m., and that Reid was dead when a police officer arrived at the campus dormitory. A cause of death has not been determined.

"There is no indication of a suicide or foul play," Shupp said.

Reid, 29, struggled with drug abuse for years and was imprisoned for a 2007 high-speed car crash in which another driver was injured. Police found heroin, which Reid admitted to using, and more than 200 pills in his car. When he surrendered to begin serving his sentence in that case, prison guards found Reid had tried to smuggle prescription pills into jail.

Reid seemed to have rebounded from his problems and was assisting the Eagles' strength coaches at camp in an unofficial capacity, a not-uncommon role for NFL coaches' sons. Many of the coaches and staff stay in the Lehigh dorms.

In the midst of his legal troubles in his early 20s, Reid said he "got a thrill" out of being a drug dealer in a lower-income neighborhood just a few miles from his parents' suburban Villanova mansion.

"I liked being the rich kid in that area and having my own high-status life," Reid told a probation officer, according to court testimony in November 2007. "I could go anywhere in the 'hood. They all knew who I was. I enjoyed it. I liked being a drug dealer."

At his sentencing hearing, Reid told the judge: "I don't want to die doing drugs. I don't want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD'd and just faded into oblivion."

Reid was the oldest of five children. His younger brother, Britt, also had problems with drug use and was arrested on the same day as Garrett in 2007 for a road-rage encounter. Police discovered weapons and drugs in Britt Reid's vehicle

The Eagles practiced Sunday morning after gathering for a team prayer, but Andy Reid was not present. Owner Jeffery Lurie said he expected Reid, 54, entering his 14th season in Philadelphia, back this week.

Lurie canceled his annual state of the team address. "Today is one of life's tough days," he said. "Andy is a rock-solid man. I think what makes him a great coach is his combination of compassion, feeling and strength. And today, he exhibited it all."

Expressions of sympathy came from around the league.

"My condolences go out to Coach Reid and his family," quarterback Michael Vick tweeted. "Stay strong and we LOVE you coach."

Authorities had few details about Garrett Reid's death. "We are conducting an investigation with the cooperation of the … campus police department," Northampton County coroner Zachary Lysek said.

Andy Reid took a leave of absence in the 2007 offseason to spend more time with his family.

"He's always been strong for us; we're going to be strong for him right now," general manager Howie Roseman said. "As a father and a friend, we're all hurting."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Training camp

Where: One Buc Place, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just east of Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Admission: Free

Et cetera: All practices are weather permitting and subject to change. For updates, go to buccaneers.com.

Schedules

Public practices

Today: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Preseason

Friday: at Dolphins, 7:30, Ch. 10

Aug. 17: Titans, 7:30, Ch. 10 *

Aug. 24: Patriots, 7:30, Ch. 10 *

Aug. 29: at Redskins, 7:30, Ch. 10

Regular season

Sept. 9: Panthers, 4:25, Ch. 13 *

Sept. 16: at Giants, 1, Ch. 13

Sept. 23: at Cowboys, 1, Ch. 13

Sept. 30: Redskins, 4:25, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 14: Chiefs, 1, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 21: Saints, 1, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 25: at Vikings, 8:20, NFL Network

Nov. 4: at Raiders, 4, Ch. 13

Nov. 11: Chargers, 1, Ch. 10 *

Nov. 18: at Panthers, 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 25: Falcons, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 2: at Broncos, 4, Ch. 13

Dec. 9: Eagles, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 16: at Saints, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 23: Rams, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 30: at Falcons, 1, Ch. 13

* Subject to blackout

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 5, 2012

TAMPA

The Bucs have conducted eight practices since the start of training camp, each one revealing more about what Tampa Bay will be this season. Along the way, unexpected facts have been uncovered. No one is shocked by the remarkable performance of receiver Vincent Jackson or the fleet feet of running back Doug Martin. But not everything that has been seen was as predictable. A look at the five biggest surprises at the halfway point of training camp, 2C

Dallas Clark, TE

In an NFL offseason when big-name players such as Peyton Manning changed uniforms, the move of one of Manning's favorite targets to Tampa Bay only briefly made headlines. Even here, the signing of Clark was overshadowed by the megadeals given to WR Vincent Jackson, G Carl Nicks and CB Eric Wright. But if what we've seen so far is any indication, Clark just might make people stop and take notice. He looks fine physically for a guy who has played sparingly the past two seasons (he has missed 15 of a combined possible 32 games in 2010 and 2011). And here's a telling fact: He hasn't missed one practice with the Bucs, barely taking breaks during workouts, even at 33 years old. The Colts' No. 1 pick in 2003 out of Iowa was a safety blanket for Manning for nine years with Indy, and it seems Bucs QB Josh Freeman believes Clark could be his. He wins matchups with linebackers, runs good routes and is catching intermediate passes with more yards after the catch. Already, Jackson's presence alone has put defenses on alert. Can Clark also become a weapon? Everything he has done so far in camp suggests he will. And here's a bonus: He's a fabulous locker room presence, seeing his role as "being just a positive influence, a role model for our tight ends and a leader for our team."

Quincy Black, LB

Linebacker is one of those positions that is difficult to evaluate before teams play actual games, but, for now, Black looks like he could be a factor in the defense. He had the occasional big game during the past few seasons, but even he will admit he hasn't had nearly the kind of consistent impact nor splash plays the team was counting on when it re-signed him to a $29 million deal last year. In this camp, Black has been active in pass coverage, knocking down passes across the middle. And defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan seems willing to let Black do what he's best at: pursue. The sixth-year veteran out of New Mexico said he's being asked to do less reading in this scheme, and it's no coincidence he seems to be making more plays.

Myron Lewis, CB

The lack of production out of Lewis, the team's 2010 third-round draft choice, has been alarming so far. The cornerback blames injuries as the main reason he has been unable to contribute — he has battled hamstring pulls and other problems — but Lewis has been disappointing, even when healthy. Often, he has been left inactive on game days. But he is taking advantage of prime opportunities in this camp. With key backup E.J. Biggers out with a broken foot and starter Eric Wright working through a stiff back, Lewis has taken numerous snaps with the first-team defense. The 6-2, 203-pound Vanderbilt product is doing a better job using his size, clearly his best asset. He has even had success against WR Vincent Jackson in one-on-one coverage, although Jackson has more than evened the score. "It's always frustrating when you're out there watching everyone play and you can't play," Lewis said. "It's kind of depressing." Maybe that's about to change.

Demar Dotson, OT

Can you imagine the reaction of coach Greg Schiano and GM Mark Dominik when LT Donald Penn called the other week to say he had sustained an offseason calf injury? Hearts probably sunk throughout One Buc Place. But there's good news on two fronts: Penn will be back soon, it appears. And in the meantime, his replacement, Dotson, is showing promise. The fourth-year player, undrafted out of Southern Miss, has almost no experience at left tackle (he has been a backup right tackle). His basketball background is evident watching him play the position. That's not to say the team would happily enter the season with Dotson protecting QB Josh Freeman's blind side, but it might have discovered some depth at tackle.

Dan Orlovsky, QB

The Bucs, mercifully, don't have a quarterback controversy. But if Josh Freeman has to miss time, maybe the offense won't totally collapse with backup Dan Orlovsky under center. He's still just 2-8 as a starter, but the 28-year-old entering his eighth season has a reliably strong arm that gives him a chance to be effective. Relegated to the 2-14 Colts last season, Orlovsky actually completed a slightly higher percentage of his passes than Freeman (63.2 to 62.8) in 2011. In training camp, he has shown an ability to deliver the ball on time and with accuracy. "I knew I wasn't going to make it anywhere in this league with my legs," he joked, "so I take care of my arm and it gets me where it needs to go. I throw it to the open guy."

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera's towering fly was headed toward left-center, and at first the Detroit slugger couldn't tell if it would clear the fence.

When it did, the Tigers celebrated perhaps the most spectacular comeback of the season.

Cabrera hit a two-run homer to cap a stunning five-run rally with two outs in the 10th inning, giving the Tigers a 10-8 victory over the Indians on Sunday. Cleveland has lost nine straight.

With nobody on and the Indians up 8-5, Chris Perez walked Alex Avila and pinch-hitter Andy Dirks. Austin Jackson doubled in a run, and Omar Infante's two-run single tied it.

Cabrera followed with his drive. "It was a little scary," he said. "It was high. I was not sure if I hit it out. I'm glad."

It's the first time all season a team has trailed by at least three with two outs and nobody on in its last at-bat and won in that inning.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, August 5, 2012

LONDON — Zip, zing and zoom.

Also, zowie.

That fast, and it was over. That fast, and all the doubts about Usain Bolt turned into declarations. That fast, and he was the Fastest Man on Earth all over again.

In the greatest race in the history of the Olympics, the greatest racer of them all established his legend Sunday. It was a breathtaking 100-meter run, skid marks followed by blurs and completed with a vapor trail. It was perhaps the fastest any man has ever run into immortality.

If you looked away, you missed it. Bolt broke the Olympic record in 9.63 seconds, and if he hadn't had an ordinary start, he might have broken his world record of 9.58. It was raw, unimaginable speed. Any faster and the Jamaican might have broken the sound barrier.

There has never been a race like this. Think of it like this: Any other Olympic 100-meter runner — any runner who has ever raced without being disqualified — would have finished no better than fifth in this race. Consider this: American Justin Gatlin won the gold medal in 2004 with a time of 9.85; this time he ran 9.79. And he finished third.

Think about it this way: Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago would have won the gold in 21 Olympics with his 9.98. In this race he finished seventh. Or this way: Ben Johnson, the steroid-fueled runner who raced away from the world in 1988 in 9.79 before testing positive, would have tied for third in this one.

What a show it was. Four runners in the field — Bolt, runnerup Yohan Blake of Jamaica, fourth-place finisher Tyson Gay of the United States and last-place finisher Asafa Powell of Jamaica — are responsible for the 20 fastest runs in history.

And Bolt blew them all away. He started slowly, and he ran with the pack for a few meters. Then he looked like a sports car passing city buses. Watching Bolt was like watching, well, a lightning Bolt.

Catch him if you can? In a big event, no one can.

This time there was every reason to wonder if he could win. Maurice Greene, the 100 gold medalist in 2000, picked Blake. Two-time gold medalist Carl Lewis had his doubts. So did Edwin Moses and Michael Johnson and Ato Boldon and a lot of other track luminaries.

"This really means a lot because a lot of people doubted me," said Bolt, 25. "A lot of people were saying I wasn't going to win. I didn't look good. There was a lot of talk. It was an even greater feeling to show the world I'm still No. 1, I'm still the best. That's what I do. I show up on the day."

Oh, you can't blame the skeptics. Bolt has appeared beatable for some time now. He lost to Blake in last year's world championships and again in this year's Jamaican Olympic trials. Yes, Bolt had been fabulous in winning gold in Beijing in world-record time, but that was four years ago, before the riches and the fame and the injuries. Who knew how much hunger remained? Who knew if Blake had taken his place?

Now the world knows. It learned that in a hurry Sunday.

For goodness' sake, Bolt's victory lap was faster than most Olympic champions', even if you consider the finger wag, and the adore-me pose with his arms spread out, and the somersault, and the flag-draping, and the two fake arrows fired into the air, and the mugging for the cameras with Blake.

There is a delightful goofiness to Bolt, a wonderful sense of flair. Yes, he seems fully aware of his stardom, but who can blame him for that? Of all the people who have ever run across this planet, no one has ever done it faster than Bolt.

"He's the Michael Phelps of our sport," Gatlin said. "He's the greatest sprinter of all time. He's a showman. Is he arrogant? Is he cocky? I don't think so."

Then again, no one had asked Gatlin about arrogance or cockiness.

After this race, no one is going to doubt Bolt is a legend. Well, one person. Bolt.

"It's one step," he said. "I still have the 200 meters (he begins his gold-medal defense in that Tuesday). If I win that, I'm a legend. This is one foot in the door. That's the ultimate. If I get to be a legend, I've achieved my goal."

There is a reason the 100-meter run is the signature event of the Olympics. It is sports at its most basic, eight men simply trying to put one foot in front of the other faster than everyone else. That's why the winners of the 100 are so memorable, from Jesse Owens to Bob Hayes to Lewis.

None of them ever ran like this. Even if you adjust for today's better training, better nutrition and faster tracks, you wonder if any of them could. Now ask yourself this: Could any of them have done it in back-to-back Olympics? That's part of the magic, too. No other man in the history of the Olympics has crossed the 100 finish line as the winner two Olympics in a row. (Lewis won in 1984 but finished second in '88 and took the gold only when Johnson was disqualified.)

"Repeating is harder than anything else," Bolt said. "Sometimes you lose sight of what's going on around you. The trials woke me up. It opened my eyes."

Sunday, Bolt opened the eyes of the world. He also opened the eyes of the other runners. If they looked hard enough, they could see him disappearing into the distance.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Dodgers 7, Cubs 6

LOS ANGELES — Hanley Ramirez lined an RBI single over a drawn-in infield in the ninth inning, and Los Angeles completed a three-game sweep. Matt Kemp walked on four pitches with one out and Andre Ethier singled ahead of Ramirez.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Padres 7, Mets 3

SAN DIEGO — Chase Headley and Yonder Alonso hit two-run homers as San Diego hammered rookie Matt Harvey. Headley homered off Harvey in the first inning and Alonso in the third for a 5-0 lead. Harvey, who set a club record for a debut with 11 strikeouts July 26, gave up seven extra-base hits in his third start.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Giants 8, Rockies 3

DENVER — Tim Lincecum won consecutive starts for the first time since April, Hunter Pence had three RBIs and San Francisco completed a three-game sweep. After going 4-9 with a 5.26 ERA in 18 starts from the start of May through July 25, Lincecum is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his past two.

By Neil Taylor, Times Correspondent
Sunday, August 5, 2012

What's hot: Sunrise action for redfish, trout, ladyfish and jacks has been exceptional to start August. A glut of mature baitfish and a new hatch of small baitfish have jump-started the action.

Tackle and techniques: The best thing to do is start fishing before sunrise. Topwater lures and plastic tails on light jigheads are perfect options. The second most important item is to be around baitfish. Areas with some current and sea grass bottom are the most likely locations to find sardines and other baitfish schools. Surface splashes or hovering birds will help locate the baitfish schools. The final "top tip" is moving your lures very slowly. The warm water of summer translates to lethargic fish. Run lures the minimum speed to keep them swimming just above the bottom. Ladyfish, trout and jacks continue to feed on the artificial lures well into the morning. Redfish action is usually best before 9:30 a.m., but you might be able to still catch natural baits late into the morning. Cast up toward a shoreline and left motionless, redfish will eat fresh bait when they may not chase and attack a lure. In areas with many baitfish schools, it is not unusual to catch this variety of species in one location.

Neil Taylor charters kayak fishing trips in the Tampa Bay area and can be reached at strikethreekayakfishing.com and (727) 692-6345.

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