What’s happenin’ in the upper stretches of the Bay?   Truthfully:   I haven’t been going out up here but I pay attention to those who are..   

Redfish remain the best target up the Bay much more than anywhere else.     The baitfish surge made it most of the way up the Bay even though the much bigger concentrations remain on the coast or at the mouth of Tampa Bay.  The 12 Fathom Mullet is my favorite bait.    On a 1/8-ounce jighead, deadly when moved the right speed.    The second place choice is the Buzz Tail Shad.

Trout action is still pretty good but only in specific locations.  The jigs continue to work the best but topwater action should be about to explode.   The SlamR continues to be the best finesse bait for big trout but with the return of baitfish they will readily slam the Mullet as well.  Don’t ignore the topwater opportunities.

The center, Upper Tampa Bay area, Gandy to 4th Street:   Has some excellent trout waters.     Possibilities for redfish.    

Black drum are back on the bridges.   That will be regular action for me the next four months.   Pompano also will be making their way up the Bay before too much longer.    Above average temperatures, everything is ahead this year.  

The action should remain strong in the top of the Bay for another six weeks.  Then:  Summertime changes everything.    Then it will be “wait until November” for things to get better again way up the Bay.   I would say this is the last month to expect good opportunities and then June to October:  Just not great.   

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
Latest posts by Neil Taylor (see all)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR