Tampa Flyfishing

[AlaskanExile]

I will be in the Tampa area for a couple of days the first week of October. Any suggestions for fishing (non-guided)?

[flyaddict]

I usually fish Indian Rocks Beach.
If you are mobile and have a car go to Fort De Soto Park.
When you get to tampa pickup an issue of saltwater angler at any tackle shop. It has maps tides regulations, suggestions.
7-8 wt tackle is all you need. WF floating line 9-10 ft leader and green over white clousers in all sizes. (Chart/olive over white/ pink).
THey have also been plagued by multiple red tides.
IRB beach is excellent b/c you never know what you'll get.
The bite is early morning from the beach though.
Pre sunrise to shorty thereafter.
Haven't fly fished from Tampa Proper. Good Luck

[tapera]

go to www.capmel.com, then look in the forums--it's all guys who fish tampa, many of them wade. also look at the west central forum on www.floridasportsman.com. i have a skiff, so my knowledge of access strictly on foot is limited, but the shallow-water fishing in tampa is best between october 15 and christmas, in my opinion. you're right on time. look at my reply to "bradenton-sarasota" thread below for some general advice that'll apply to tampa, then get a few wading spots for reds from people at mel and florida sp. good luck,

nick

[AlaskanExile]

Thanks, for the information. I will be going down once a month thru December so the information will be handy. I actually have a former student in the area who is getting me out on a skiff for one of the days. Looking forward to it.