By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com

The weather has been tougher.   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.    Recovered from the red tide that was in there, it is time to make the south shore a regular destination again.

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 couple of flounder, big trout and redfish.

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.  2016 was kind of a down year for flounder.  What will it be like this year??

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.

Redfish have been pretty decent, again, if you can find them.   We encountered a good pack of mid slot redfish last week but only able to get one to eat a lure.   Clean, clear, cold water:  Tough time to get close to a species so leery of humankind, you need to make the adjustments and try to make the longest casts you can to them.

The sheepshead targeting has been a weird mix of other species.   We also caught big mackerel, seabass, snapper, black drum and one cobia.   Sharks were the norm on a weird foul weather trip yesterday.   Set up to catch black drum and sheepshead the sharks were piled into a small cut.   None caught on two trips in the previous week it was one after another for an hour.

Pompano remain a great story.  Normally gone these months, they have stayed around.   And they are big.   The Silly Willy/Uncle Neil teaser combination is the way to go.

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.

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

Neil Taylor
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