By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
More of the same. The south shore has great opportunities.
Same as the last four reports: “Mackerel are still one of the top stories around the lower portion of Tampa Bay. It is March and it is primetime for spanish mackerel. From the piers: Use the Silly Willy/Teaser rig. Use 40# leader. Jig it hard and catch one mackerel after another. The Skyway Piers are absolutely easy mackerel fishing in the month of March. From the kayak or boat: Chase the birds. Explosions on the water are often mackerel. They are a delight. They fight hard and they make one of the best fish spreads that I put out. Fast moving speedster mackerel will be out toward the Skyway bridge. Accessible from the Skyway Piers, they will also be intercepted by anyone in boats or kayaks by just “following the birds.” Ladyfish, jacks and even a few bluefish are in this melee. Keep a watchful eye out for cobia, which have been hooked in this area the past few weeks.” That being said, we caught fewer mackerel than I expected but we did not go the distance for them.
Sheepshead. They can be caught but that is pretty much over for another year. Next year looks good again for this species. They get hit pretty hard but seem to sustain very well. We are actually still seeing a lot of them. They are a funny one for me. I am against baiting a hook. I vowed to fish them this year. It never happened.
Trout fishing is very good still extremely good. Will it shut down with daytime temperature forecast to be “90” every day (for the next four months)? The past week, a lot of 17 inch fish. The 12 Fathom SlamR is king. I could have used topwaters one day. The fish were up and active. There was baitfish and they were crashing it.
Redfish are just not a great choice for down this way. They haven’t been for most of the last three years. Why? No one knows why. We just don’t see them like we used to. When will that return to what it was five years ago? Where are they? No one seems to know. Weird reports of them in odd locations. Mostly, they are a mystery.
Flounder action is decent but not great. Now June, will this just be an off year? Or are they coming? Even if it stays the same, there are some good ones to be caught.
It is worth repeating: Sharks are back in amazing numbers. Don’t even consider putting a fish on a “stringer” unless you want to have a dangerous close encounter with these opportunists. Best to have an action plan for accidental hookups to sharks. “Cutting the line” is a phrase I hear a lot. Long dehooking tools can help save a lure but for safety, a breakoff is a good option. Cutting the line not necessary, point your fishing rod toward the hooked fish, grab the spool and pull backward steadily. This should bring a knot to breaking strength.
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
Co-host: Capmel.com Radio, 8 to 9AM Sundays on 1040 “The Team”
- The Neil Blog… - July 26, 2023
- The Catfish - July 26, 2023
- update - July 22, 2023
