By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com

The lower Bay just continues to be fantastic opportunities. Again, 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.

Flounder are better. A lot of 13 to 15-inch fish with the occasional beast around 20 inches are very “reliable” as far as targeting of a species goes. I use the 12 Fathom 3 inch mullet in basically any and all colors they make. Rigged on a 1/8 ounce jighead, the flounder will thump this lure when it passes by their funny looking faces. Flounder frustration: So many will drop the lure during the fight, just go back to fishing and accept it that no matter what you do, you “won’t win them all.”

Redfish action has been very good again. The fish on the move have been difficult to catch but the settled in fish are feeding strong. Topwater lures have worked part of the time but the 12 Fathom “Redfish” Mullet has been “King” on this desired species. On an off day I hooked and caught the largest redfish I have caught in fifteen years. The others in the school were good fish but I think I caught one of the very biggest in the pack.

Speckled trout action will explode this month. The action has been decent but not as good as other places around the Bay. Oddly enough, areas I have loved to catch trout on the south shore my entire time living here have been pretty quiet in 2013. That will change. The massive number of trout in this fishery will become very evident with a drop in water temperature. The amount of lower slot fish this past spring should mean that the fishing for trout should be really easy this winter.

We have hooked an occasional cobia.

Before we plunge into winter, the Spanish mackerel action will be very good around the south shore area. The drop-offs off the edges of the flats near the open areas of Tampa Bay will have jacks, ladyfish and mackerel if the baitfish is there. The kingfish migration may also create opportunities for this species toward the Skyway pier.

“Want to know what’s going on off the Skyway piers? 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!” Not anymore. Paul Bristow who sent in a report faithfully every Friday, passed away on August 28th. October 5 at the North Pier Jamie Foster is having a memorial event for Paul at 10AM.

As always: Be careful out there!

Neil Taylor
www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345
LivelyBaits@aol.com

Neil Taylor
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