Neil Taylor: Lower Tampa Bay

By Neil Taylor, www.strikethreekayakfishing.com

Action has remained steady on the south shore.   Trips have mostly consisted of large catches of trout and flounder.   Schools of jacks appear occasionally.   The bloom of snotty algae and something called “blue-green algae” (a diatom) is a pseudo nitzschia species and is considered harmless.   But the fish don’t seem to like it.   Locations where the fishing was easy a week ago do not have the same action in the presence of this algae.   It is the worst I have ever seen it this early in the year.    My brother and nephew spent hours digging this stuff out from one launch location.  Trout are still pretty easy to find.   Redfish:  Reds haven’t been easy in this area for about four years now.     Different theories, I think with pressure with so many more people here, redfish moved.

Mackerel:  They come and they go.   We have caught them occasionally on trips but more are at the piers than anywhere else.    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 very dependable for mackerel action.   Call ahead to ask, they don’t mind.   But get down and enjoy the Skyway Piers.

Pompano are still a catch from the piers.  Other locations they are in the passes.  South shore, count on the first 100 yards of the south Skyway Pier for your pompano opportunities.    Copied from the south shore report two years ago:  Profiling, if you pay the pier fee, stop and park the first Asian looking gentleman you see and you are into pompano opportunities.   Those guys know how to do it and if they’re there, so are the pompano.  They are skilled anglers and usually willing to show you how they do it.

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!

Would you like to get better at fishing?   Look at The Kayak Fishing Academy.   There will be quarterly sessions.   Feel free to inquire by email or phone call.    I give a four 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.  June 25 and October 1 are the two dates set for 2017

Kayak Fishing Skool is this week:   Thursday the 25^th.     “Pompano and Black drum”, perfect timing because that is going to be a lot of what we are doing in the months to come.

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.