What’s happenin’ in the upper stretches of Tampa Bay?

Things are getting OUTSTANDING in the north end of the Bay.   That is pretty much right on schedule.    A gap in my report:  Pompano.   I have not even made an attempt and do not know what their status is.     They came back in better in late October but between the wind and trips for other species, I have no data.

Speckled are stealing the show in a lot of the high end of Tampa Bay.  Other catches have been impressive trout in the mid “20’s” and they will be caught most of the winter.    Tip:   Don’t keep them.    Talking to a longtime friend recently, Ray said “I wish we could get everyone to stop killing them.    Or even getting that stupid picture on the measuring board.”    I feel much the same way.    Fish handling on all species is a good topic but big trout, they are a treasure.   Enjoy them, put them back and if trout is your dinner thing, kill those upper slot fish instead.

Jacks, ladyfish, mackerel and even bluefish are being caught in the upper stretches of the Bay.   The baitfish is not gone, just deeper.  The fronts have not pushed too much of the baitfish out of the Bay, but that is likely to happen in the near future.  If you are new to fly fishing, this is a good way to get some practice.  These are agreeable species.

Redfish are loading up better and that will continue to happen as we move toward December.  As it is in other areas, the top lure?    The 12 Fathom Mullet.    If the mullet is not the ticket, try the Buzz Tail Shad.    Veteran anglers of UTB who keep that other choice around catch fish when other people don’t.

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.

As always: Be careful out there!

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
www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345
LivelyBaits@aol.com

Neil Taylor
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