By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com

Down on the south shore:  We caught small redfish, some trout, plenty of pompano and some flounder.   There are options for snapper on the rockpiles.   Action is decent but about to get a lot better.   My schedule explodes to start September and I expect I will be spending some time down here on the south shore.

Trout action:  Excellent.  Flounder opportunities:  So-so.   Pompano, also very good.      Redfish are a little better finally.  I have seen a pocket of large fish in numbers I haven’t seen down this way in over three years.

Early is still best but I would expect some great action at night during good tides.   Morning trips starting at 6:30, the best action has been in the first two hours.

The trout have been very good mid-morning.    Early morning you can try topwater.  It depends on the amount of floating grass.   That improved a great deal in the past five days.   When it gets later in the morning, switch to the SlamR or any plastic bait really.   Sub surface, and moved slow, you will connect with trout 16 to 18 inches (if you are in the right spot)

Flounder: Use the 12 Fathom SlamR.   They are in better but still not what we had the past three years.  I think this is just an off year for them.

There are indications that the redfish action may finally be on an upswing down here.   It has been an odd three years overall for this species on the south shore.

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! (Sent in on Fridays)

Would you like to get better at fishing?   Look at The Kayak Fishing Academy.   Feel free to inquire by email or phone call.    I give a three and a half hour session on fishing and kayak fishing that would be valuable for people who do any kind of fishing.  The host site is Bill Jackson Shop for Adventure in Pinellas Park.

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
Co-host: Outdoor Fishing Adventures, 8 to 9AM Sundays on 1040 “The Team” ESPN Radio
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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