Tarpon
are among the most sought after gamefish in the world, and for good reason!
The opportunity to fight a fish that will more often than not, be in excess
of one hundred pounds, and yet have the ability to jump ten feet or more
from the water’s surface, can be a life altering experience. I know of no
other fish, that lends it’s name to it’s anglers in a like manner. The term
“Tarpon Addict” is a common name given to many of us in the West Central
part of Florida. If you’ve never caught a species of fish that had you
considering retirement, or at least, giving up your “day job,” you need to
come and experience your first Tarpon!
Snook
are probably the single most pursued fish found in the warmer portions of
the “Sunshine State.” The quick, explosive strikes of a Snook busting baits
on the water’s surface won’t soon be forgotten by the first-time Snook
fisherman. Snook are well known as both determined, acrobatic fighters, and
as excellent table fare. Lightning quick reactions are often required to
keep these incredible fish from ambushing your bait or fly, and getting back
to the protection of the mangroves. It all seems to happen in less time than
it takes to say, “Snook.”
Permitare
world renown as one of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean on a
pound-for-pound basis, and that reputation is well deserved. When the giant
schools of 20-35 pound Permit show up on area flats and reefs, a 20 pound
G.Loomis spinning rod, and at least 200 yards of fresh 20-30 pound line is
appropriate tackle. Sight-casting live shrimp, crabs, or crab pattern flies
to hundreds of these beautiful silver slabs on the glass-like surface of the
Gulf of Mexico is, as they say, “as good as it gets." Just be prepared for a
workout like no other. They’ll pull harder than you ever thought possible
toward the safety of the reef’s structure. If you prefer your fish just a
little on the smaller side, don’t overlook the opportunity to get in on our
revitalized Pompano fishery either. While they’re smaller than their close,
but larger Permit cousins, they make an extremely strong account of
themselves on 6-8 pound tackle, or your favorite 6wt flyrod.
Redfish
are the fish most frequently described as “freight-trains” or “bulldogs.”
While lacking the acrobatic fighting style of Snook, Redfish more than make
up for it in terms of pure pulling power. In a classic case of “good news,
bad news," Redfish are known as excellent table fare, but can only be kept
if they are within the State established “slot” limit of between 18-27
inches. The “good news” is of course, their reputation as excellent seafood.
The bad news is that it’s not always easy to find these “slot” sized fish.
The even better news, is that it’s getting harder because we are seeing more
and more Reds in our area that are well in excess of the 27 inch maximum.
Come to think of it, there is really no “bad news” when it comes to
Red-fishing in the Tampa Bay area.
Spotted
Seatrout
are not only beautiful to the eye, but an incredibly steady resource in the
Tampa Bay area as well. The Trout inhabiting our flats are perhaps the most
reliable of all the fish we have. Almost always willing to eat both live
bait and artificials, Trout are fantastic quarry for anglers of all ages to
pursue on a year-round basis. Whether we’re drifting the grassflats with
live-bait under popping corks, or flycasting to the sandy potholes up in the
skinny water, Trout fishing is usually best described as “busy.”
Mixed
Bag Opportunities
are many in the Tampa Bay area. Dependent upon the season, and the
temperature of our area waters, one can reasonably expect everything from
Cobia and Jack Crevalle, to Grouper, Ladyfish, King and Spanish Mackerel,
while visiting our area waters. It is not that infrequent to take any of
these species along with those that we normally target, on a given trip.
are among the most sought after gamefish in the world, and for good reason!
The opportunity to fight a fish that will more often than not, be in excess
of one hundred pounds, and yet have the ability to jump ten feet or more
from the water’s surface, can be a life altering experience. I know of no
other fish, that lends it’s name to it’s anglers in a like manner. The term
“Tarpon Addict” is a common name given to many of us in the West Central
part of Florida. If you’ve never caught a species of fish that had you
considering retirement, or at least, giving up your “day job,” you need to
come and experience your first Tarpon! 
are probably the single most pursued fish found in the warmer portions of
the “Sunshine State.” The quick, explosive strikes of a Snook busting baits
on the water’s surface won’t soon be forgotten by the first-time Snook
fisherman. Snook are well known as both determined, acrobatic fighters, and
as excellent table fare. Lightning quick reactions are often required to
keep these incredible fish from ambushing your bait or fly, and getting back
to the protection of the mangroves. It all seems to happen in less time than
it takes to say, “Snook.” 
are
world renown as one of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean on a
pound-for-pound basis, and that reputation is well deserved. When the giant
schools of 20-35 pound Permit show up on area flats and reefs, a 20 pound
G.Loomis spinning rod, and at least 200 yards of fresh 20-30 pound line is
appropriate tackle. Sight-casting live shrimp, crabs, or crab pattern flies
to hundreds of these beautiful silver slabs on the glass-like surface of the
Gulf of Mexico is, as they say, “as good as it gets." Just be prepared for a
workout like no other. They’ll pull harder than you ever thought possible
toward the safety of the reef’s structure. If you prefer your fish just a
little on the smaller side, don’t overlook the opportunity to get in on our
revitalized Pompano fishery either. While they’re smaller than their close,
but larger Permit cousins, they make an extremely strong account of
themselves on 6-8 pound tackle, or your favorite 6wt flyrod.
are the fish most frequently described as “freight-trains” or “bulldogs.”
While lacking the acrobatic fighting style of Snook, Redfish more than make
up for it in terms of pure pulling power. In a classic case of “good news,
bad news," Redfish are known as excellent table fare, but can only be kept
if they are within the State established “slot” limit of between 18-27
inches. The “good news” is of course, their reputation as excellent seafood.
The bad news is that it’s not always easy to find these “slot” sized fish.
The even better news, is that it’s getting harder because we are seeing more
and more Reds in our area that are well in excess of the 27 inch maximum.
Come to think of it, there is really no “bad news” when it comes to
Red-fishing in the Tampa Bay area. 
are not only beautiful to the eye, but an incredibly steady resource in the
Tampa Bay area as well. The Trout inhabiting our flats are perhaps the most
reliable of all the fish we have. Almost always willing to eat both live
bait and artificials, Trout are fantastic quarry for anglers of all ages to
pursue on a year-round basis. Whether we’re drifting the grassflats with
live-bait under popping corks, or flycasting to the sandy potholes up in the
skinny water, Trout fishing is usually best described as “busy.”
are many in the Tampa Bay area. Dependent upon the season, and the
temperature of our area waters, one can reasonably expect everything from
Cobia and Jack Crevalle, to Grouper, Ladyfish, King and Spanish Mackerel,
while visiting our area waters. It is not that infrequent to take any of
these species along with those that we normally target, on a given trip.