By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
The weather has been decent, if you don’t mind some wind. The wind has been pretty dreadful and is forecast to continue. There, I said it. But I still got out and for me, this part of the Bay has options that are not as strong elsewhere throughout the region. Trips to this area we did multiple species targeting and some specific species trips. A specific trip: Sheepshead. Other times we went down and caught a lot of trout (some of them large). The olden days of redfish are still not back. An hour to the north: They have made a recovery.
Flounder are mostly gone for the remainder of winter but don’t fret, when they come back this spring, it will be an amazing option for Tampa Bay again. The past two years were strong with 2013 the best flounder action since 2004.
Trout action finally got better for big trout in the past few weeks but you have to find them at the right time. Let’s face it: You have to find them first. The locations I found trout “feeding” are areas that are a longer paddle and a greater distance away from Tampa Bay than I usually fish. That is typical of winter, especially a harsher winter.
The sheepshead targeting has been a weird mix of other species.
The seawalls, and any rocky structure going into the water really, have sheepshead. There are some good fish but there are thousands of “next year’s fish.” Those ten to twelve inch porgies are next year’s convicts.
The lower bay still has opportunity but things are more challenging than they have ever been. Sheepshead should have been all over the Skyway rocks. They aren’t. A full month early they went to the passes for spawn. Odd.
January exits and February begins, the south shore should be good.
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
Owner and guide: www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345 LivelyBaits@aol.com
Owner and site administrator: www.capmel.com
- The Neil Blog… - July 26, 2023
- The Catfish - July 26, 2023
- update - July 22, 2023
