By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
Nothing better than consistency and the lower Bay has it. It has the entire time I have lived here. Sometimes fishing can be tough no matter where you go. The south shore suffers from this less than anywhere else go.
Coming again soon: Flounder. Why are they in here in these numbers so early in the year? I don’t know and I don’t really care. I just hope their numbers stay strong all year. The 12 Fathom SlamR “gold” for capitalizing on feeding flounder. Tip: Just keep the tip ones. For the future, skip killing the 12 and 13 inch fish and just take the larger fish.
Also coming soon: The Florida Pompano.
Big trout are in the potholes. Slow months ago, trout fishing got much better.
Redfish are spotty but there are opportunities. They should fall into a better pattern eventually. I believe that illegal netting is one of the reasons this species has stayed away from this area more. See a poacher, report a poacher: And gill netters are the worst kind. They don’t really keep these fish but their nets kill the juvenile snook and redfish (don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise)
Sheepshead are still available just not the opportunity they were a few weeks ago.
Mackerel, jacks and ladyfish add extra action.
Get out when you can, it is ON on the south shore.
From 2014: If you encounter snook, leave them alone or at least commit to not harvesting them regardless of the regulations. It is a long battle ahead to elevate this species back to health. That journey is not an easy one. Communication is gone between the guides and the lawmakers. The latest disappointment, an agency that is inventing reasons to drive us apart. Idiocy at work, my company slogan for years “Something violent is about to happen”, referencing fish slamming lures, was interpreted that they should beware that Neil Taylor is going to incite violence at an agency meeting.
I hope to make some progress with someone, somewhere down the road but honestly the only people who are good communicators in the agency are not the ones who can get anything done. I will always keep those lanes of communication open but it is a sad, sad tale what the Commission is doing with regards to responding to the citizens.
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!
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
