Recomendations In The Tampa Area Currently?

[duncan]

Have a week away at the end of Feb and will have the 9# fly rod in the bag as ever - any recomendations as to where I might find some sport, and what it might be?

 

Also possible I might get permission for a day charter - worth it at this time of year and again 'recomendations'.

 

Ta

[Afishionado]

Tampa is like a hot Liverpool go down or up the coast a bit for a better fishing environment. Sarasota is nice with lots of shallow 'flats' areas for fly fishing. You must get a licence to fish and a K-Mart is where the visitors can buy them. Boat + Skipper charters are expensive by our standards but then the

[Swainiac]

Duncan, I have just spoken with my friend Rich in Tampa, it was reasonbly warm, and fishing isnt fantastic. On the fly, from the ebach, on a genlty sloping area, early morning, before the walkers get out, one can expect Snook and Crevalls, withing knee depth to a clouser, on a floater. As soon as the ebach lvens up a tad, say goodby to good sized fish within casting distance. Livebaits will take stuff like passing Ladyfish, and small jacks. Fish anywhere over sea grass, with either a shrimp livey or immitation, or a clouser, to target Reds and Sea trout. Redfish are very good sport, and eat well.

 

Either side of the top of the tide target Sheeps head with a full circle, about a 2 or 4 is good, with a freshly scraped off barnacle, freelined down a wall or pier piling. These go like frieght trains, once hooked!! stingray can be taken at night from most beaches, using cut fresh fish baits. I'll try and locate a guide for you, give you an idea of expense. Hopefully I will speak with Rich sat afternoon/evening, to see whats what.

 

Regards, Rich

[duncan]

Thanks guys - Rich I am actually staying at the top end of Sand Key - right by by the park and close to Clearwater. This gives me the option to wade/fish the gap as well as inside or out all within walking distance of the hotel!

 

I'm guessing we will be touring around a fair bit and it's more likely to be camera than flyrod during the day - unless I take a boat/guide out one day. Crystal river etc isn't far north either I believe.

 

Will look in for last minute advice!

 

I have followed the links in the adverts but nothing fits........with Clearwater marina 1mile away I can wander up there and look around easily enough.

[Swainiac]

Duncan, the area of Intercoastal behind Sand Key, holds a reasonable head of Tarpon. They can be seen patroling under the bridge, and drifting in a small boat can produce them. I took mine on a freelined Live shrimp.I'll ask Rich what he is up to, he may vollunteer to take another "crazy brit" out on his boat, I can only ask.

 

Rich

[duncan]

Cheers Rich

[Newboy]

A friend of my father rang from Florida today and it's freezing bollocks off time over there at the moment.

[Swainiac]

Duncan, have a look at this site, www.fishing-boating.com, and go to west coast florida alabama. It covers sand Key, although I have found that if you post a specific question, they dont generally get answered. Its more a place where local skippers, or Captains, as they like to be called, post their recent catch reports. Hope this helps.......still havent spoken to Rich......he mut have been at church!!!!

 

 

Rich