By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com

The baitfish arrival.    Long overdue and interestingly random, the “April” scenario is here now.  Sadly, the baitfish rolled in this week, almost July?   Peculiarities:  What happened to battling through ladyfish and jacks to catch anything else?    Hooking one of those species so rare I feel blessed.   But still mystified.   Pretty easy:  Lots of bait, both of these species should be pretty easy to find.  The bait:   Could be more, but it is here.    “Follow the baitfish schools” for success.  

The fishing has been pretty good overall, something that is fairly standard for the south shore.   Redfish have just not been there that strong.   Accidental snook are not great. 

Too bad the FWC doesn’t want to talk to the stakeholders on these matters.    Our panel assembled is ready to help them not make the same mistakes again.  They have some people who are doing surveys but what are they doing with the survey information?  

Flounder are gone.   Sorry.  But four trips and one flounder:  Do the math.   That will change in the future but this is either a normal outmigration or the worst case of lockjaw in the history of fishing.  

Trout:   Very good.   Their closure, translated to decent action all the time.    A 1/8-ounce jighead with the 12 Fathom SlamR, the way to go.   

Pompano and mackerel:  Available at the Skyway piers.   My normal pompano spot:  Second year in a row, just not very good.     The pompano jig (yellow) with the Uncle Neil teaser (pink) gets the pompano.    

We hooked two giant cobia.       We caught a variety of stuff overall.    Included:   Bluefish, mackerel, very few flounder.   

Go early.   We have been going out pre-sunrise and the bite has been best when the sun first starts to appear.   The bite has lasted until a little after 10AM.  

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

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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