JJstrong Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Can anyone recommend what areas to fish in St Pete Tampa Bay area. Everything I'm reading says to find the Flats but it's a big bay just looking to get a head start... thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulligan Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Simple. Find the flats but make sure there are hungry fish on that flat you are fishing! Sorry I could not help myself, it has been a long week for me. I wish I could really help but don't fish the bay much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJstrong Posted June 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 Lol thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPFit Posted June 1, 2017 Report Share Posted June 1, 2017 I hit intercoastal waterways. Boca Ciega bay flats around Johns Pass have been having tons of trout and flounder. St Joseph's sound have the reds and trout also. Every pass is holding big snook at the right times; some more than others 😉 Sorry I couldn't help with the bay- I don't fish it much. My buddy has been having good luck on live greenbacks just south of Weedon island he told me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJstrong Posted June 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Thanks, I'm more looking to hit flats and target reds. I'm able to get away for a few days and never been to the area before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 What area of the bay are you looking to fish? I can most likely help point you in the right direction on the st.pete side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFlatsFishing Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 The key is to get good live bait and use 75% of it as chum/scouts. Drive around a bit and you'll see plenty of boats fishing the flats. Try Weedon island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 What ramp do you plan to launch from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJstrong Posted June 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 50 minutes ago, SouthernWake said: What area of the bay are you looking to fish? I can most likely help point you in the right direction on the st.pete side. Not sure just yet I'm still researching. My "plan" was to stay on anna maria and be able to fish north in the bay area and south if i wanted. I don't know the area so not sure if it's better to be in St Pete or south of the bay.. As I learn more I'll be able to narrow it down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Weedon is a good place to start, can work the outside flats for trout then start looking for reds and snook as you move closer to the mangroves. Also throwing artificials under docks by weedon can be good as well if there is not much boat traffic. chumming with extra bait can certainly help as mentioned above grew up fishing on Tampa bay but it's been a few years so things may have changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Plenty of bait in the Bay. Lot's of Snook. Red's are hard to find, but when you do, they are thick. It's packed during the weekends, and the Coogan's are thick, but if you fish during the week its pretty quiet. East Side = Cockroach Bay south to the Skyway. West Side = Weedon Island and Ft. Desoto area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linesider 159 Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Text me 727 902 8784 Will you have a boat I assume? I fish all of the bay from safety harbor to Sarasota bay. My main target is redfish but can help out with some of the other species. You can always start at Weedon but you will need live bait. I hate Weedon and only fish it 1-2 times a year, not because if a lack of fish there though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJstrong Posted June 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 I mainly fish artificials but if gotta go live i will. I fish 10k islands and i never use live bait but i guess everywhere is different. My main target is Reds. Ive been reading that you can find them schooled up on the flats, which i never see more than 2 together in 10K. Linesider Thank you, yes im running my Hpxv out there ill give you a shout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJstrong Posted June 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 3 hours ago, Davej said: Plenty of bait in the Bay. Lot's of Snook. Red's are hard to find, but when you do, they are thick. It's packed during the weekends, and the Coogan's are thick, but if you fish during the week its pretty quiet. East Side = Cockroach Bay south to the Skyway. West Side = Weedon Island and Ft. Desoto area. Ill be there during the weekdays june 12-14, then heading south to fish charlotte harbor and pine island for another 2 days. Never been to any of these areas im looking forward to getting out and exploring FL a bit. Thanks for the area recommendations.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 PM me, and I'll give you some spots to catch bait, and find fish in both areas. I live in Tampa now, but grew up in Boca Grande. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linesider 159 Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 I can help you with locating redfish from lemon bay to the south tip of pine island as well. Very familiar with that area too. I'm not super familiar with spots for bait in Charlotte harbor. I'm 95% artificial only, the reason I said you need bait at Weedon is the fish there are trained and most of the time only respond to bait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJstrong Posted June 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 Man i appretiate that . That area i would probably need more help with than st Pete. I mainly fish artificial as well so might steer clear of weedon. I'm thinking of finding a place to stay in bokeelia or pine island so I can access south areas and head north towards lemon too. Also heard that turtle bay and bull bay are good spots for Reds. And I can access boca pass for some poons that'll be there, think that's the right idea?? a lot of options in this area I'm excited about just need to plan. Again thanks for helping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 I sent you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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