Redfish schools are showing up and will only get better as we approach fall. In this photo, Trevor from North Florida displays a healthy upper slot redfish caught in Tampa Bay with Capt. Travis Yaeckel.

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

Tough times for anglers all over the region.   Another tough set of January weather conditions.    So the report is:  Looking forward to spring!   Not dreadful but definitely the coldest time of year.   I have worn a jacket more times this year than in other years past.  

The people who have had the most success have either had to work long hours and exhibit great patience, or they resorted to chucking shrimp under docks.  Action in general slowed with the massive cooldown of the water that came precariously close to another catastrophic event for our far from recovered species, snook.  

Metabolisms slow down, the fish remain more inactive in general.   The good thing is:  January is half over. The bad news:  The forecast is not good the next couple of days.  With a warming trend that will hopefully follow, action has to get better than it has been.  Fish gotta eat right? 

Redfish, trout, sheepshead and black drum:  In the canals, under docks, eating whatever you can present to them that is either stationary or barely moving:  That’s my “best bet” for Upper Tampa Bay.   Not what it used to be but there are opportunities for those who get in the right spots.  

See ya the next time around.    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. 

The FWC Commission has not answered a letter requesting that a summit be held to address changes to snook regulations that would protect more female snook.    The clock is ticking on a spring re-opening and the harm to our valuable fishery.     Snook trips will not be offered in 2014 for Strike Three Kayak Fishing charters for the fourth year due to the shortage of fish and management issues. 

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

Neil Taylor
Latest posts by Neil Taylor (see all)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR