Things are a changin’

The upper stretches of Tampa Bay has fish.   No doubt about it.   What things will be in the future with summer looming closer, we shall see but right now, it is a good time to ply the shallows of the upper stretches of the estuary.

We had trips with action on trout, redfish and flounder.    Ladyfish are pretty much everywhere too.   The best fishing we had was on higher tides and there were good fish caught.   Redfish are actually the easiest target.  You have to know the best places to go but they are there.

Trout, pretty much over for the year.  I think they are migrating out, full of eggs, to spawn out “front.”

The upcoming time period:  Spring.    Pompano and black drum will again be fun trips.   Flounder will make their way up the Bay.

Mackerel are fairly consistent in the deeper areas if there is bait where you are.

At the request of my contemporaries, “keeping the message alive”:    If you catch a snook:  don’t take it out of the water for eight minutes taking pictures.    Don’t “get a weight” of the fish.    Enjoy the species if you cross paths, but take extra steps to make sure those fish remain in the living population.     A huge contingency of the best respected fishing guides on the Gulf coast opposed their decision to reopen to harvest, made sincere pleads over and over to get the decision reversed but were ignored.  Do your part and try to give this species a chance to return to prominence regardless of their faulty data and poor decision making.

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

Stay alert and make a difference:

Keep an eye out and make the phone calls.    Illegal nets found in Upper Tampa Bay have been confiscated thanks to the tips from citizens.    Working with the field staff, I personally know that they have a great response rate on the calls I make.    Too many people do not make the attempt because they did not get a response in the past.      Trust me, they do the best they can and they do respond as quickly as possible.

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.  If you see a poacher:  Make a phone call.

 

 

Neil Taylor
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