Tampa Jan 14-16 2008

[jcurrier]

Hello all I am going to Tampa for a "work" trip, and would love to fit in a bit of fishing. Can anyone recommend a guide for flyfishing in the area? Also what species are hot at that time?

Thanks in advance-

[JohnB]

If you can catch a flat day between fronts, the grouper are chewing the bottoms out of the boats, but that's bottom fishing, not fly fishing.

[jcurrier]

Thanks John- I did get an email from Capt. Jim Huddlestum, and he said speckled trout and redfish at this time of year that sound about right?

[76Red18]

That the species I'd shoot for. On snapper trips, lots of chum of coarse, I' ve seen grouper rise high enough in the water column to see. Maybe a fly could be possible Hold on!

[JohnB]

Thanks John- I did get an email from Capt. Jim Huddlestum, and he said speckled trout and redfish at this time of year that sound about right?

Trout and redfish would be the species for the fly. In the winter, if the water is cold, you might have to wait till the sun gets up on the skinny water to get them active. You might have to work an artificial very slow till it warms up, but it was 82 yesterday . You might get lucky and get a snook or tarpoon too. Whenever I do that type of fishing, all I get is ladyfish and spanish macs , thats why I head offshore, can't handle rejection.

[76Red18]

Dont forget the pompano. Best eatin fish around, IMO, and a heck of a fight on light tackle. Have there been many caught up there John? I've found quite a few down here running the bars on an out-going tide. Small brown jigs.

[JohnB]

We get "runs" of them off the beaches, I don't remember the season, but I think it's in the fall. Mostly beach casters with long poles throwing wierd shaped 12 oz sinkers. I don't usually fish within site of land any more. We have been killing the grouper, till the longliners set in.

[Briguy]

J,

Rick Grassett has a very very good reputation for fly. Here is his website. He fishes sarasota.

http://www.snookfin-addict.com/