Upper Tampa Bay

The Upper Bay:  Hotspot for some great early spring action!   The wild action of medium trout has subsided somewhat but there are concentrations of good trout in specific areas. Probably not as good as years past.    But if you hit it right, it can be good.   

Redfish action is just not what it used to be.   I’m working on it.    The governor has responded.   I am waiting to gain ground there.    The hopes:  To bring it back.   People are figuring it out.   They just aren’t there to catch.    As a guide:    I can’t take people to catch what isn’t there.   

Being spring, Mackerel, jacks and ladyfish have been all over the deeper areas.   The high winds move them around to cleaner water but use the birds to help you find this action.

Try your topwater lures again!  It is that time of year again.    Try out the MirrOlure Top Pup or Top Dog Jr.   I just adore the new speckled trout pattern but also don’t deviate too far away from “18”

Need a little help with your fishing?    Kayak Fishing Skool for April.   A primer for the Captain Mel Classic.   Free seminar and raffle, there is a lot of discussion both on and off topic with plenty of time to also answer your questions.   April 25^th, at my house.   2813 State Road 590, Clearwater.   

Don’t forget to sign up!  The Captain Mel Classic is in May.  Upper Tampa Bay is in the contest boundaries!   There are five divisions: Open, No Motor, Fly, Ladies and Junior (14 and under).  There are great prizes and cash winnings with a lot of the proceeds going to the Suncoast Animal League.   It is a cheap entry fee wish great lures by 12 Fathom, Mirrolure, Joe Hebert jigheads.   The raffle will be exceptional again this year.   Join in on the fun:  If you have never fished in a tournament we will help you.  

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.