December 31, 2015

By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com

Nervousness with the red tide reports continues.   Since the last report it moved inside the Bay.   It is not at fish kill levels but it is enough to be concerned.   No cooler weather, no help.    Red tide won’t necessarily die when it cools off but with no rain, some cooler air couldn’t hurt.

Action has been awesome below the Skyway bridge.   We have routinely caught more than 100 trout per outing, sometimes exceeding 200.   Redfish have not been outstanding but we have caught some.  Flounder have held on to still remain an option.   Bluefish and jacks have thinned out in this area (increased in number in other areas).   Trout trip:  Use the 12 Fathon SlamR.

The opportunity for sheepshead and mackerel is still a reality.   You have to go deeper for mackerel now.  Sheepshead shifted from the shallows to the rocks.

Redfish area farther up the Bay rather than toward the front.   Possibly a function of red tide, I am hoping that more fish move up into areas I have been going to more often.   The 12 Fathom Mullet remains the best redfish bait.

To get detailed reports, check The Skyway Report on capmel.com.   Written by Paul Bristow every week, he keeps you on the heartbeat of the Skyway bite.  Get out and enjoy the easy action on the Skyway Piers!  Thank you Paul for dedicated, detailed reports EVERY SEVEN DAYS!

Would you like to get better at fishing?   Look at The Kayak Fishing Academy.   There will be quarterly sessions starting in 2016.   Feel free to inquire by email or phone call.    I give a three and a half hour session on fishing and kayak fishing that would be valuable for people who do any kind of fishing.  The host site is Bill Jackson Shop for Adventure in Pinellas Park.

As always: Be careful out there!

Neil Taylor
Owner and guide:  www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345  LivelyBaits@aol.com
Owner and site administrator:  www.capmel.com
Co-host: Outdoor Fishing Adventures, 8 to 9AM Sundays on 1040 “The Team” ESPN Radio

More reports by Neil Taylor-

Upper Tampa Bay report:     http://www.capmel.com/index.php/article/166 
Capmel.com “The Kayak Report”:   http://www.capmel.com/index.php/article/198

 

In a battle that is never really over: The great work of FWC officers to target felony netters and keep an eye on other recreational offenders has led to better fishing for us all.  Their continued efforts to catch felony netters are making the south shore region return as a great fishery again.   But help them out:  Keep your eyes peeled for illegal activity and make a call if you see poaching, 888-404-FWCC (3922).  Your tips will help make cases and you could be eligible for a reward.  The fishery survives the pressure of poaching, a lot of anglers and just continues to be a great location to go.

Neil Taylor
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