Not much has changed since the last report.  So much water, so many challenges.   The heat of summer and the influx of rainfall runoff, lots of challenges for fishing the North part of Tampa Bay. Tarpon are steady on the shadows nighttime.   They are there and they are feeding.     Right on the shadow lines of the bridges but particularly where there are schools of ladyfish.  Use the right gear or don’t do this at all.

Redfish are around and have been fairly active in the first two hours after sunrise.  The rest of the time, it is not going to happen.

Pompano:  Silly Willy in basically any color with a pink teaser.  Bounced at the base of bridge pilings, “gold” for harvesting gold nuggets. They are gathering in larger numbers by the day and it things mimic 2013, the next three to five weeks should have excellent action bumping that jig and teaser on the bridge pilings.

A daily nuisance on pompano trips: Black drum moved out then back in.  Average size is around 50 pounds.  The Silly Willy Teaser rig works but so do other creature baits.   Rootbeer Snitch or the Scarface Shrimp are great options but some people are jigging them up on the 12 Fathom SlamR.

Trout.   Not a great option in the upper Bay.  The central part of the Bay a little better.   Overall, not the best time of year to target big trout.   Look to November for the return of trout action up here.

It is now early August and things are tough but there are fish being caught by those who know how to do it.

August 21:  The Kayak Fishing Academy!  A three and a half hour crash course in fishing Tampa Bay.     $30 gets you a bag of tackle, lunch and the whole picture on how to fish Tampa Bay.

Enjoy Capmel.com Radio, also known as Outdoor Fishing Adventures and Tampa Fishing Outfitters Radio Show is doing very well.    I am hearing a lot of feedback from people who are listening to the show and enjoying it.    As co-host, I am in the studio nearly every week and we have a great setup with topics and guests.   Listen in on 1040 Sports Talk “The Team” 8 to 9AM on Sundays, live on the web or enjoy listening to the Podcasts at your leisure.

As always, be careful out there!

More reports by Neil Taylor

Lower Tampa Bay report:    http://www.capmel.com/index.php/article/165
Capmel.com “The Kayak Report”:    http://www.capmel.com/index.php/article/198

Neil Taylor
Owner and guide:  www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345  LivelyBaits@aol.com
Owner and site administrator:  www.capmel.com
Co-host: Outdoor Fishing Adventures, 8 to 9AM Sundays on 1040 “The Team” ESPN Radio

Kayak Fishing Skool for August 25:    Bill Jackson Shop For Adventure, Pinellas Park 6:30-7:45 PM

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.

 

 

 

Neil Taylor
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