The Kayak Report, Neil Taylor

The busy season has arrived.  Everyone wants to go fishing.    It is great to be out every day, post back problems.   The action is good.   We all just wish that it was a little cooler.   A full week of 87 degree days is disappointing at a time when you would reasonably expect cooler air.    That’s life.

The trips have been a mix of different results.   Some days are hot.  Some days are not.    It also kind of depends on what you do.    Redfish trips have been tougher than they should be.   No problem finding reds, they just haven’t cooperated that well.

Trout action has been solid.    Trout are easily our most ubiquitous fish, easy to find and generally easy to get to eat.    Even trout have their tough days.   Case in point, John Veil in on a regular visit from Maryland:  The goal was to get nice trout for a party that night.    We definitely went to the right location.    This day, one of those days.    We got our fish for dinner but I caught nearly all of them.     Exact technique necessary, there were fish to catch but they were moody fish.

Everything that is coming:  Pompano, mackerel, cobia.     It is spring, there is no doubt.  The influx of migratory species is always amazing.  Pompano stayed in the Bay all winter.   No question, it just never got cold enough for them to leave.    Mackerel are already being caught but the big influx is nearing.     When they arrive it will be easy to get all the mackerel you want and they should be big.   What is a big mackerel?  Last year’s run most fish we caught were 20 inches or longer.

The hope is that pompano will be like they were in 2016.   Talking to Scott Moore, we had a better pompano year than they had down south.    Again, they also have more red tide issues.    We talked redfish.   Scott brought one up that I hadn’t heard yet.    The red tide may have impacted the big offshore school of redfish.   If that is true, that has bad consequences for our future redfishing.

Also coming up, the monster topwater bite.   My theory, the mullet spawn of mid winter:  Those offspring reach a larger size in the spring.   Mullet swim on top.  Hence the fish are feeding more on this baitfish.  It makes the topwater lure a great choice.   I use Mirrolures.

Mirrolure, a seven time sponsor of the Captain Mel Classic.    April 29, we have a fun event.  This is a tournament for everyone.  Except pros.  We don’t let pros take anything away from the common angler.

Kayak Fishing Skool, in it’s tenth year, this month’s topic is “Redfish.”    The Classic is a trout and redfish event.    Thursday April 23 at Bill Jackson’s, 6:30PM.   The seminar is free and there is a raffle at the end.

As always:    Be careful out there!

Neil W. Taylor
Owner and Guide: www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
Ower: www.capmel.com
Ph: 727-692-6345
Email: Livelybaits@aol.com