I have been asked to not stop sending this particular message: Catch a legal snook: Let it go. Let’s rebuild this trophy fishery. We have plenty of other options for take-home fish, why shoot yourself in the foot and limit your own future? It has been a hard month. People killing snook to make art? Not good. Just not good. Every fish let go that escapes to adult size is going to become a large female breeder. Every fish kept kills our future.
Flounder just never got going this year. South shore is usually the best. It just never happened. If they’re there, I haven’t experienced it.
Redfish are decent but not great. Lots of upper slot fish, some juveniles and still a number of way overslot fish around to be caught.
Speckled trout: Better but still not what we “know is coming.” It is going to be speck-tacular. One or two more cold fronts and it will be on track to one of the best Florida trout winters we have ever had. Pity, we couldn’t pick on and bash trout and protect the snook instead…. They repopulate constantly. Last year’s 13 inchers? Wow, what a great stretch we have ahead.
Pompano, mangrove snapper and both Spanish and king mackerel are pretty solid targets. It’s October: That’s what we have. And enjoy it. Throw in jacks, ladyfish and bluefish and you have a real party! Pompano have remained the best story of 2017. I have never seen pompano action this good before .
We caught two cobia down here. It is that time of year.
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!
The lower Bay just continues to be great 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.
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
