By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
Red tide remains the Big Variable for the south shore. Otherwise it is a great time of year. The strong weather system did not change things for more than a couple of days. The action on flounder, trout has been excellent (fair on trout in some of my favorite areas). For redfish, again, it can be stellar in one area and nothing exceptional in another. But you can almost expect to intercept a little bit of everything on the south shore.
Flounder action has been OK but you have to be in the right spot now. Areas that held good numbers a week ago: No more. The baitfish evacuating with a strong front with cold air dropping water temperatures down, after two days the bite returned in specific locations but flounder have evacuated others. They won’t all leave but sometime this month, with more cold fronts, more should make their way offshore. Flounder action will exist through the winter but it won’t get really good again until late next spring.
Trout: Can you avoid the red tide? If so you may find a lot of them. So many areas around the Bay, this action is so easy, on the south shore so many of my top trout spots are just not holding the fish I would expect. I believe that will change. When the next couple of fronts send us into true winter, I believe the best trout fishing will arrive for all of us everywhere around the region.
Weather dependent: 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
www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345
LivelyBaits@aol.com
- The Neil Blog… - July 26, 2023
- The Catfish - July 26, 2023
- update - July 22, 2023
