Tampa early September...

[Mark Cahill]

Looks like I will be down in Tampa in early September.

Anyone have any suggestiong for long wanding it, or even better, have a boat and some time on their hands. :D

Cheers,

Mark

[kcsmes]

I was searching this forum for imformation on Sarasota, when I came across a thread posted on 10/16/02 regarding the St Pete Beach area that is just a short way from Tampa. dskins wrote on 10/22/02 "I think that the easiest walk and wade in the area would be Fort DeSoto State Park on Mullet Key. It is at the tip of St. Pete at the entrance to Tampa Bay. It has MILES of wadeable flats on all sides.You will find seatrout, jacks and ladyfish on the flats....blues, spanish macks and tarpon in the deeper water nearer the channel. Clousers, crazy charlies, glass minnows and shrimp patterns work well here. I prefer "shrimpy" colors.
To get there take I-275 south from Tampa to St.Pete. Right before you hit the entrance to Tampa bay you take the exit for the Pinellas Bayway (54thAVE) West. Go through the toll booth and then there will be signs to Fort DeSoto/Tierra Verde(Left hand turn). Follow this all the way into the park and pick any flat you see...you can park anywhere on the side of the road. Incoming tide always fishes well...

If you want to find something closer to Tampa, you could fish along the Howard franklin Bridge(I-275) coming south from Tampa. Also weedon Island Park in NE St.Pete is just off of the Gandy Blvd. Bridge heading South from Tampa. I can't recall the streets well enough to give you exact directions but its easy enough with a map."

I fished the Tampa Bay area with a guide last year and he pointed out the Fort DeSoto area as the best bet for wading. I never got to try it out. As you drive around this area you will see many other likely spots as well.

I am more often in Sarasota now and trying to figure out some fishy locations in that area case I find some free time one of these visits. Good luck!

[capthook34]

Mark; email me and if you are in the Tampa Bay area maybe we can go out. I have a 16' skiff and do a lot of fly fishing.
Namely Weedon Island and Cockroach Bay.