Neil Taylor

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

Things, they are a changin’.  No question the upper Bay is a choice again for finding good action.    I stay out of the upper Bay most of the summer months and look forward to spending more time up here.    Pompano and drum are pretty much over for the year for me but you could probably still pick off both of these species if you jigged a bridge.

Trout, it is getting better but we need a couple of cold fronts to get the trout action more active in this part of the region.

Redfish will be the big story for the rest of winter and spring.    Upper Bay redfish are very cooperative in most locations and tough in others.    The heavily pressured areas have tougher fish to catch.  The areas that just don’t get hit as hard have very aggressive fish.     My favorite lure for this species is the 12 Fathom Mullet.   Don’t forget to also take along the Buzz Tail.    Topwater action will be an option in the next few months.    Trout are easier but redfish will crash topwater lures.  I just wish there were more of them.  

My best redfish spot up here:    We tried it this week and caught ZERO.    Will they move back in there?    Will they get better region wide?

Fish the tides.    High water, you need to be right against the trees.    Get out and enjoy the Fall weather!

Keep your eyes peeled and make a phone call:  Illegal activity is hurting your fishery.   The agency has some issues responding.   Protect what belongs to you.     Get these people to stop raping your resource and stealing from all of us.  

Would you like to get better at fishing?   Look at The Kayak Fishing Academy.   November 7th.  More to be scheduled.

Terrific Trout Tampa Bay, a tournament for all, November 14.  

See ya the next time around.    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

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.

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.  A released snook not harvested preserves the future of our species, one that could face stresses like algae blooms and another freeze.

Neil Taylor
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