Upper Tampa Bay, what a delight. Currently some of the most steady action around the entire region. Huge numbers of jacks and ladyfish, trout and redfish are also in the mix. Contrary to the other indications, winter is not actually over yet. The action in UTB does not cease when spring arrive, quite the contrary. I fully expect to see some great redfish action up here in the next four months to come.

Too early to fish the big bridges, that will get interesting in about a month with the weather we have had.

Pompano will make their way up the Bay early this year.
Here are some recent shots of fish being caught up this way:
Enjoy it while it’s good.

See ya the next time around. As always: Be careful out there!
More important now than in 2010 and 2011- 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
Owner and guide: www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345 LivelyBaits@aol.com
Owner and site administrator: www.capmel.com

Kayak Fishing Skool continues! The next two months cover tournament species: Redfish and trout. The host site is the 8th Avenue Pub in Safety Harbor. Start time is 6PM. A raffle at the end of the session is still intact. This month: On the 22nd.

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.

Neil Taylor
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