Bass Fishing

[Levy125]

Hey guys i just recently moved to the tampa area from MA! Bass fishing in MA is really really good, i was wondering if anyone could help me out with some good spots around tampa area, offshore to walk around, small ponds for kayak fishing. Ive heard behind houses its good fishing but can we just park in the neighborhood and walk behind peoples houses? In MA bog ponds were killer!! thanks for the help #tightlines #sharphooks #rawthumbs

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

[buzzed bait]

will likely help you if you narrow down the "tampa area".  that would cast a wide net i imagine.  

i used to hog hunt a lot just north in land o lakes, but never once fished around there.  man do i regret that now!!!!

[Levy125]

Thank you! right outside of downtown tampa. On google maps it shows a lot of water north of me i just don't know where to go or try out it seems like a lot of the water is surrounded by neighborhoods or apartments, I'm craving to hit the water haha!!

[davecon]

Do you have a kayak ?

[Levy125]

i don't at the moment but BPS is right down the street i just wanna find some good ponds to drop in. I left my yak in MA for when i visit back, i helped run kayak tournaments up in MA boston area, would be great if i can find some of that down here

[Chris Spear]

Find any public golf courses around your area those harbor big bass. As long as you don't interfere with the golfers and just be respectful they don't usually bother you 

[Levy125]

so i can just walk on to any golf course thats public thats kinda crazy haha but ok ill try thanks for the advice

[Chris Spear]

As long as they don't say no fishing and again if you're not disrupting the golfers they will usually be cool with it. If you are told to leave just be respectful and do so promptly. Try to go as early as you can as to avoid golfers altogether

[davecon]

If you have a kayak there are many options.

Personnaly I don't have one as I understand why God invented outboard motors and trolling motors. Plus my boat with a 25 hp motor will run almost as shallow as a kayak. I just don't get all that paddling crap. That being said, check out 3 websites - capmel.com, the online fisherman.com, and myfwc.com. The first 2 have forums for kayakers, the 3rd has a list of boat ramps by county.

There are several kayak clubs around but they seem to favor saltwater. I can point you in the right direction for a few freshwater spots if needed. 

Whatever you do, do NOT try snook fishing ! You may never want to catch another bass as long as you live !

[Levy125]

have you ever done kayak bass fishing? its one of the most funniest ways in my opinion to fish, so close to the fishing in the water its awesome and the fights are pretty cool. I saw some pretty good looking spots on google maps but we will see who the goes when i try it out. Im going to look at those websites as well!! Thanks for all the help guys

I'm just trying to find a small body of water, they seem to hold monster bass and that was the same way up in MA 

[davecon]

I tried the kayak thing once. Too much work for a lazy old fat man. I fish from a Gheenoe. It's not, but looks like, a flat backed canoe. Floats and runs in literally inches of water, has a 25 hp Merc, electric start, power tilt n trim, stick steering, 55 lb foot controlled tm, lights, bilge, depth finder, swivel seats, runs 32 mph and will go almost anywhere and is amazingly stable.

After getting this rig I realized I had used my traditional bass boat, 18 ft, 150 hp, only twice the entire year because I was always out in the Gheenoe so l sold it.

Have been catching more and larger fish since. I usually fish for bass mostly this time of year while they are spawning, then it's back to snook and juvi tarpon and my Gheenoe is the absolute best option for the ares's I prefer to fish.

Nothing against kayaks and traditional boats though, I like em all.