Re: fishing off of Tampa bay
[Re: Trapper Dahlgren]
#7197750
02/27/21 08:55 AM
02/27/21 08:55 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,192 Goldsboro, NC
John C
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,192
Goldsboro, NC
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If your going somewhere new with fishing styles your not used to spend the money on a guide for a day or half day and get out there and catch some fish. You’ll have a lot more fun catching than fishing
More Cowbell
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Re: fishing off of Tampa bay
[Re: Trapper Dahlgren]
#7197767
02/27/21 09:10 AM
02/27/21 09:10 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897 Wisconsin
Eagleye
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897
Wisconsin
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I have fished St Pete / Clearwater from shore numerous times and you will catch a variety of fish, we caught a lot of salt water cats, sharks, sheepshead, snapper and whiting. The only fish we consumed was the sheepshead, I had negative connotations from it being a rough fish in Wisconsin but it was delicious. Look for cook and catch restaurants, you bring your fillets in and they cook your fish and you can just order sides. Here’s my set up that I use for surf fishing in Florida and Caribbean, the Cabela’s Salt Striker rod and reel combos travel well in carry-on or checked luggage, I run a Kast King sling pack for wadding and a rod holder for surf fishing. The salt is brutal on equipment and I rinse everything in the shower or foot wash stations at the hotel. I usually buy a small cheap Styrofoam cooler to keep bait in and then throw it away when I’m done, the shore birds will steal all your bait if left unattended. If you pre-rig a Wolf River style rig with an Owner hook and use shrimp as bait you will catch a nice variety. Maybe sheepshead bite all year long in that area but if you fish the pier columns you should connect, I caught a lot of species on artificial spoons and inline spinners but I like the D.O.A. shrimp in a root beer color for those waters. Have a great time!
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Re: fishing off of Tampa bay
[Re: warrior]
#7200281
03/01/21 12:12 AM
03/01/21 12:12 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42,012 Northern Maine
Bruce T
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42,012
Northern Maine
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My grandfather lived in Clearwater. He fished three days a week most of his retirement. We would usually fish the gulf side drifting live shrimp under a float along the grass flats for specks and could get into not only specks but flounder and channel bass. Sheepshead were usually closer in and structure related. Things like bridge pilings or piers. A good friend of his, Mr Brewer, loved sheepshead and would take a flat hoe to those pilings scraping barnacles loose to chum the area then cast small shrimp into those areas for sheepshead. Grand dad's been gone since 90 and I miss that. A visit down there ment a big fish fry and fishing trip. Nice.
Nevada bound
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Re: fishing off of Tampa bay
[Re: Trapper Dahlgren]
#7200288
03/01/21 12:20 AM
03/01/21 12:20 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42,012 Northern Maine
Bruce T
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42,012
Northern Maine
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I remember when driving to Clearwater there was a narrow long strip of land with people fishing both sides and alot of boats.
Nevada bound
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Re: fishing off of Tampa bay
[Re: Trapper Dahlgren]
#7200346
03/01/21 03:50 AM
03/01/21 03:50 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,617 N. Carolina
Scout1
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,617
N. Carolina
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For a more affordable guide, look into a kayak guide. I found one several years back in Panama City. A lot cheaper and then later just rent or buy your own yak to fish inshore with. We used 2-3 inch crabs on 1 ounce lead heads around the bridge pile ons. Big redfish love the crabs.
------------------------------------- DJT & MTG in 2024!
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Re: fishing off of Tampa bay
[Re: Trapper Dahlgren]
#7200463
03/01/21 09:18 AM
03/01/21 09:18 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,636 Georgia
warrior
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,636
Georgia
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whats the best eating fish ,one can catch from shore , ? Somewhat subjective, but I would probably have to say flounder.
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Re: fishing off of Tampa bay
[Re: charles]
#7200751
03/01/21 12:51 PM
03/01/21 12:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,636 Georgia
warrior
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,636
Georgia
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I fished with a guide out of Tampa in the early 80s. We ran forever and the water never got very deep. I think we caught snapper. If you left out of Tampa you definitely had a long run to make as Tampa proper is all the up in the bay and you would've had a long run just to get to the gulf. The gulf in that area of Florida isn't as good snapper grounds as the northern gulf as the shelf extends further out on the Florida west coast and lacks the current from the Mississippi Sound. There's definitely snapper to be found off Tampa just expect a longer ride and more searching to get into them. Florida is trying to improve this with more artificial reefs but there's only so much that can be done lacking depth and current. Another thing, check for charters out of Tarpon Springs. Tarpon is north of Clearwater and a wonderful little Greek town founded by Greek sponge divers. It's kind of touristy but worth it for the baclava of greek coffee.
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Re: fishing off of Tampa bay
[Re: Trapper Dahlgren]
#7200853
03/01/21 02:51 PM
03/01/21 02:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 689 SD
Tray
"Wilson Jr."
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"Wilson Jr."
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 689
SD
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whats the best eating fish ,one can catch from shore , ? Sheepshead
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