By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com

Red Tide.   The reports say it is gone.  The reports are wrong.     Fish kills as recent as yesterday:  Vast areas are ghost towns on the south shore.  Success, go somewhere else until it clears up.   It is a lottery down there.  You might find an area that’s clean and do all right.  Better to just go somewhere else for now rather than risk having a dismal outing.

Redfish were fickle around the mornings of the full moon but ate near sundown, frustrating because I ran morning trips during this time.

Speckled trout action:  If in a clean area, pretty good.

Flounder:  If in a clean area, pretty good.

Blues, jacks and macks:    Bluefish have been caught on every trip on the south shore recently.   That should go on for a while yet.   Jack crevalle:  They aren’t “everywhere” but you won’t go many trips without catching a few.   Spanish mackerel action is pretty around the south shore area.   The drop-offs off the edges of the flats near the open areas of Tampa Bay will have jacks, ladyfish and mackerel if the baitfish is there.    The kingfish migration may also create opportunities for this species toward the Skyway pier. Want to know what’s going on off the Skyway piers?    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!

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.

As always: Be careful out there!

Neil Taylor
ww.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345
LivelyBaits@aol.com

Neil Taylor
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