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Tampa Bay in March

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  • Tampa Bay in March

    I returned last evening from my latest trip to fish in the Tampa Bay area with kayak guide Neil Taylor of Strike Three Kayak Fishing. On Mon and Tues, I had two friends from Oklahoma fishing with me. On Mon, the water was calm as we drove across a bridge to the launch point. However, once we were on the water, the wind built to a brisk pace that kept my anchor from holding consistently. The bite was slow, with some speckled trout and a few small flounder. At one point, my back was getting stiff so I told Neil I would paddle to a beach on a nearby small mangrove island to stretch. As I approached the island, I took a few casts up against the mangroves. On the second cast I felt a strong pull, which led to a 20"+ snook.

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    I made a circuit around the mangrove island casting as I went. Over the next 15 mins, I caught three more, with the largest in the mid-20s.

    002.jpg

    I circled the island twice more, but the snook had departed.

    On Day 2, we fished in heavy fog but calm winds. I ended the day with 22 specs, 1 ladyfish, and 1 flounder.

    On Day 3, Neil let me tag along on someone else's charter. The weather was gorgeous and low wind. Both of those guys were really late (1.5 hours and 2 hours). After an hour of waiting, Neil told me to take a kayak and rod and paddle out looking for some grass flats just off a boat channel. I went off by myself and soon had bites. My first fish of the day was a 20" beauty. It was my longest spec in several years.

    002.jpg 003a.jpg

    I ended the day with 30 specs, 3 ladyfish, and 2 flounder.

    As each of the new guys arrived, Neil sent them out to me to show them where to fish and how to use the anchor trolley system. For a few hours I was an assistant guide (fun for a day, but not something I would want to do as a regular job).

    On the final day, Neil and I launched to another calm morning. We paddled a few miles to fish along a shallow flat next to a nature preserve. We could see large snook and redfish in the water but were unable to convince them to bite. After 2.5 hours with no bites, we found a pod of energetic ladyfish to give some badly needed pullage. All of them leaped several times and made fast drag screaming runs. I ended with 8 ladyfish, 1 puffer fish, and 3 specs. Two of the specs were 17” long.

    IMAG0797.jpg

    Mark and I have already booked several days with Neil in April. I can't wait.
    John Veil
    Annapolis
    Native Watercraft Manta Ray 11, Falcon 11

    Author - "Fishing in the Comfort Zone" , "Fishing Road Trip - 2019", "My Fishing Life: Two Years to Remember", and "The Way I Like to Fish -- A Kayak Angler's Guide to Shallow Water, Light Tackle Fishing"

  • #2
    Sounds like another great trip! Congrats on the sizable Specs!
    Bruce

    Hobie PA 14
    Wilderness System, Thresher 155

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    • #3
      Nice trip John, that was some nice fish. I hope you guys make it back in time for the SNOW this weekend

      Yak67
      2015 Hobie PA-14
      2016 Hobie Outback LE

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      • #4
        Originally posted by J.A. Veil View Post
        Mark and I have already booked several days with Neil in April. I can't wait.
        +1 Indeed!
        Mark
        Pasadena, MD


        Slate Hobie Revolution 13
        Hidden Oak Native Ultimate 12
        Lizard Lick Native Ultimate FX Pro

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        • #5
          Snookzilla! That is outstanding John!

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