Tampa/st. Pete..........bass Fishin' ?

[Topwaterspook]

Hey folks, I'm going to be in the John's Pass area for two weeks in March. Has anyone any suggestions os bass fishing around there at that time? Thanks for your input.

[FD.]

Red fish and snook, yes. Bass, not so much.

Lake Tarpon - about 30 min away - not much bank access and tough sledding even if you know it well. Pinellas County (St Pete) and Hillsbourough County (Tampa) are both thin on the freshwater lakes. Polk County (Lakeland / Winter Haven) is where you want to be.

If you are serious about bass fishing in Florida in March then you need to be on Toho or Kissimmee. Both are about 2 hours away and can be the best spawn fishing in the world. Send me a PM when you get your dates set and I can hook you up with a guide if you want.

FD

[Topwaterspook]

Thank you, FishingDaddy. That's exactly what I was afraid I might hear. I'm not hauling my boat down just some gear. I thought there might be some small lakes in the area fishable from shore. I very much appreciate your reply.

[MCS]

I lived in st Pete and second what fishindaddy said. But will add there is good shore/wade fishing for salt water species there.

But if freshwater is what u prefer look into lake Seminole(think it is brackish)

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/08_seminole.htm

There is mirror lake and miggiore http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/lake-maggiore-park.html

Lake Seminole is probably the closest to the pass and has decent shore acess and a couple ponds within. Mirror lake is small of 20th ave n 4th street. Guess it is 10 acres at the most. Tons if shore acess very busy but never saw many fishing it. Don't know much about maggiore only know of it. I know of another park at the end of 15th and 25 or 26 street (use google earth)

if you are interested in salt there is park off central ave to fish off the wall. And right by you there is a park near the veterans hospital. Or fort desoto state park. Can give u a few more ideas if u want.

South for bass is the braden river, here is manatee's web http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks/braden-river-park.html

The websites should give u some ideas of piers, ramps etc. and u can see other places than what I listed. Hope this helps