By Neil Taylor
Strikethreekayakfishing.com

December and January were very tough months for fishing the area with weather patterns that resembled the start of 2010. The good news is that those months are gone and waters finally warming up again, the fishing will be spectacular. Inactive for a period of time where the Gulf temperatures were bitter cold: The fish will be starved for food, coming out from the creeks and rivers to find more to eat. Redfish and speckled trout will be excellent lasting for a few months of great “temperate weather” months. If there is a continuation of winter-like weather, stay inside Tampa Bay for better action: From Upper Tampa Bay all the way south to Fort Desoto. If there are extended periods of warmer daytime temperatures the barrier islands around Clearwater, Dunedin and Palm Harbor will end up with a lot of redfish and trout opportunities. The 12 Fathom SlamR or 3″ Mullet will connect on both species. The water will still be on the cool side so keep the presentation “slow” for best results.
Like the topwater? Throw the topwater. As long as it isn’t the day after a cold front, topwater activity has been good.

February is just flat out “The best sheepshead fishing” month of the year. Barnacle and crustacean eaters, get crabs or live shrimp on a 1/0 hook down to them on bridge pilings, docks, rockpiles and seawalls with just enough weight to keep it down where they are. Filleted out, cut into chunks, dipped in egg, flour and tossed in hot oil- sheepshead are fantastic dinnertime treats. The best dinner I have had in years: Sheepshead cooked this way. It is fantastic.

Silver trout and whiting will also invade the area if better weather settles in. The frigid conditions of the two previous months stopped them from moving into normal areas they’re caught this time of year. Silly Willy jigs bounced off the bottom will do the trick. Add a Uncle Neil teaser and it is gold. Whiting kind of a mystery, silver trout are pretty easy right now.

There are great tides a lot of the month of February. Most of us “sat it out” a lot of the past two months: Dust everything off and get back into the action!

Great opportunities, call if you want to get on the schedule.

Kayak Fishing Skool for February: 8th Avenue Pub at 6PM, February 22

Neil Taylor
“Instructional Kayak Fishing”
www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345
LivelyBaits@aol.com

Neil Taylor
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