Fishing in Saint Pete/Tampa Area

[newyorktoiowa57]

I will be moving to Saint Pete and among other things, am looking forward to being able to fish year round.  I am mostly interested in the possibility of fishing the bay for snook and redfish from a kayak, posibilly jack too. Is this possible?  What about fishing from the surf with lures?  

 

For largemouth, what are the best areas?  While I am interested in exploring saltwater I want to continue with freshwater too. 

[BBuck]

largemouth are everywhere that is wet in Florida. There isn't much freshwater to fish in St. Pete or Tampa itself besides a few ponds here and there but try out the bigger city/county parks first. Edward Medard reservoir is East of Tampa and isn't huge, but bigger than most places around. Teneroc mine lakes are really good, but also about 45 mins East of Tampa off of I-4. Lake Tarpon will most likely be the closest lake to you and can be good at times. I believe they have a Tuesday night tournament deal still going on for most of the year there. Good luck. Don't forget to throw purple and junebug color plastics. You'll thank me later. 

[813basstard]

Lake Seminole, Lake Tarpon around where you’ll be. 

As far as the salty stuff, hell I don’t know. They always talk about the ‘flats’ and something called shrimp and circle hooks

[newyorktoiowa57]

51 minutes ago, BBuck said:

largemouth are everywhere that is wet in Florida. There isn't much freshwater to fish in St. Pete or Tampa itself besides a few ponds here and there but try out the bigger city/county parks first. Edward Medard reservoir is East of Tampa and isn't huge, but bigger than most places around. Teneroc mine lakes are really good, but also about 45 mins East of Tampa off of I-4. Lake Tarpon will most likely be the closest lake to you and can be good at times. I believe they have a Tuesday night tournament deal still going on for most of the year there. Good luck. Don't forget to throw purple and junebug color plastics. You'll thank me later. 

Thanks.  What about saltwater stuff?

[BBuck]

no clue

[B-Gee]

For saltwater fish, trout reds, etc., one of the best places is the long beach at Fort De Soto Park.

[newyorktoiowa57]

5 hours ago, Robert C. Gates said:

For saltwater fish, trout reds, etc., one of the best places is the long beach at Fort De Soto Park.

Thanks.  What do u use for them?

[tstone]

Kayak fishing salt here is great. Snook will be an easy transition from bass since they act similar. Topwater like a spook is one of my favorite ways to catch them. Soft swim baits on a weighted hook or jig head are great, and I have caught tarpon and snook on flukes. 
 

I use 20lb braid with a 30lb flouro leader. Fish on moving tides, I prefer incoming but either is good. Snook like structure so as the tide is coming in and water is up toss under mangroves and docks and you’ll catch some. 

[B-Gee]

On 1/11/2022 at 8:25 PM, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Thanks.  What do u use for them?

Live shrimp, Lil John soft plastic lures on a jig head, and Mirrodines by Mirrolure to name a few.

[heyitskirby]

On 1/11/2022 at 12:59 AM, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Thanks.  What about saltwater stuff?

 

Everything salt likes shrimp.  You can catch anything from big reds/snook to little pinfish (these can be used for bait as well).  I usually use a 1/0 circle hook on a leader and put split shot on the braid.  Most people will tell you to tie a leader directly to your main line and don't use swivels or other hardware.  I use swivels and still catch fish.  I have friends who use jig heads with no leader and catch more fish than I do.

 

Gulp baits on a jig head always work.

 

Try kayak fishing around Weedon Island or down around Ft. Desoto and Shell Key.  

 

As others have said, freshwater access can be difficult (there a privates ponds EVERYWHERE).  Other than the public lakes mentioned above, the bypass canal is supposed to hold a good amount of decent bass (and from what I understand tarpon as well).  I actually haven't done any freshwater fishing since I moved here. 

[gim]

I had a guided inshore saltwater fishing in April 2015 in Tampa Bay. I stayed at a resort in St Pete during my honeymoon and my wife and I used one day to go saltwater fishing for snook, redfish, and sea trout. We caught all three on both live bait and artificial lures.

 

It was a great experience that I hope to do again someday. The fishing was very dependent on the tide, which I am not very familiar with. Here are some photos.