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

Action? Action is great. The heat of summer subsiding, the fish are happy. Very happy. It seems like it is early but actually, it is right on time. It’s arriving to October. The shadows stretching farther and farther north, the days are shorter and before too long a cold front will really actually mean colder air. The Red Tide out front makes way up the Bay a better option.

Redfish are a winner. Black drum are a winner. Pompano, are a bridge option, and they are good size.

The other species are nothing exotic. Bluefish, mackerel, ladyfish and jacks provide some sizzle to your reel drags even if they aren’t your real targets out there. Cobia have been hooked nearly every day on the bridge trips for pompano.

Pompano: Use the same thing I have told you for years- yellow Silly Willy and a pink teaser. Sounds like a broken record but I can’t tell you anything else that works better.

Big black drum are caught on those bridges as well. Some approaching 90 pounds, I caught one that was probably getting up to that size a couple of weeks ago. Released and not having anything to really compare it to, I would say the fish was close to record size but probably “not quite there.” John Veil hooked one that may have been a record fish. A scale that was stuck on the jig hook when the fish pulled off was massive. It fell off the hook and sand before John got it in but it looked like a massive seashell.

Trout. No. Flounder. No. There are the regulars to UTB, jacks and ladyfish and the bluefish were a surprise a couple of times but it is primarily reds in the shallows; cobia, drum and pompano at the piling. I am definitely looking forward to what October has to offer!

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

Neil Taylor
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