http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/captains-corner-fly-fishing-on-floridas-west-coast/2325386
Minimum wind and cloudless skies elevate a fly fisher’s chance for a good fishing day on our west coast. The wind makes casting more difficult, unless you’re experienced. Clouds interfere with sight-casting opportunities because you can’t see the fish in the shallows where we do most of our west coast fishing. Dirty water and rough boating conditions add to the issue. We’re fortunate to have many rivers that empty into Tampa Bay as well as the gulf. A boat or paddle craft is necessary to allow mobility. Rivers get narrower as you head upstream and offer wind protection from tree-covered banks. Most fish we’re interested in are structure-oriented. Casting will be to fallen trees, undercut banks, points of land, sandbars, mouths of small creeks and tree cover close to the water surface. Any interruption in normal shorelines should be investigated with accurate casts. Outgoing tides are generally preferred, but I’ve seen many exceptions. Moving water is always important to success. Equipment is similar to fishing the flats. An 8-weight rod rigged with a floating weight-forward line is the first choice rigged with a popper or shallow-running baitfish imitation that duplicates available forage in size. Baby tarpon, snook and redfish are the top targets.
Pat Damico runs charters in lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpat.com and (727) 504-8649.
- Capiains Corner. Damico - December 26, 2023
- Pat Damico - December 21, 2023
- CaptainsCorner: Pat Damico - November 27, 2023
