Has anyone fished or fly fished south Tampa Bay? I got a wild hair to think about fishing a fly fishing tournament for redfish in January. I wanted to do a road trip somewhere with the new poling skiff. It will depend on keeping the dates open and getting off work and fish 3 days.
I have been researching the areas and reports trying to build a fly list of patterns and colors. Looks like our patterns will work, just tied with different colors. If anyone has any experience, I would appreciate you sharing anything about the area. It will be different to fish an area with 3 foot tide level change. Supposedly the water is very clear during the winter and sight fishing works very well.
Fly fishing Tampa Bay
Re: Fly fishing Tampa Bay
Site fishin reds in Fl. is much more difficult than south Texas. Just not that much backwater to cover and lots of boat traffic and snowbirds.
I like nite snookin on the ICW anywhere from Sarasota to the Venice Inlet which is rated a 10.. Dock lites , bridge fenders and resturants with underwater lites all hold big #'s. Incoming tides are best and really turns on the frenzy with snook feeding on the baitfish passing thru the lites. Small white streamers get slammed when drifted thru.
20lb. flouro tippet needed and check it after every hookup cause they flare there gills when they leap. Fish in a barrel most nites. GL
I like nite snookin on the ICW anywhere from Sarasota to the Venice Inlet which is rated a 10.. Dock lites , bridge fenders and resturants with underwater lites all hold big #'s. Incoming tides are best and really turns on the frenzy with snook feeding on the baitfish passing thru the lites. Small white streamers get slammed when drifted thru.
20lb. flouro tippet needed and check it after every hookup cause they flare there gills when they leap. Fish in a barrel most nites. GL
- Salty Bum
- Posts: 930
- Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:40 am
- Location: Some where between the coast and the woods.
Re: Fly fishing Tampa Bay
A friend of mine that lives in Ocala FL fish the Red Fish tournament and has for a few years
And this is the fly he has me tie for him and he use it behind a popping cork in the Tampa Bay area
And this is the fly he has me tie for him and he use it behind a popping cork in the Tampa Bay area
Re: Fly fishing Tampa Bay
That fly looks a little familiar. I really like the painted eyes, the off-centered pupil looks great.Salty Bum wrote:A friend of mine that lives in Ocala FL fish the Red Fish tournament and has for a few years
And this is the fly he has me tie for him and he use it behind a popping cork in the Tampa Bay area
Depending on my work schedule I may have to try the lower Laguna Madre instead. That fly should work anywhere.
- Salty Bum
- Posts: 930
- Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:40 am
- Location: Some where between the coast and the woods.
Re: Fly fishing Tampa Bay
Piscator wrote:That fly looks a little familiar. I really like the painted eyes, the off-centered pupil looks great.Salty Bum wrote:A friend of mine that lives in Ocala FL fish the Red Fish tournament and has for a few years
And this is the fly he has me tie for him and he use it behind a popping cork in the Tampa Bay area
Depending on my work schedule I may have to try the lower Laguna Madre instead. That fly should work anywhere.
It does work