The best part of the fun of another busy year is taking the time to look back and think about what really happened.   Things that were duties and obligations are also accomplishments.    For me, it was a list of accomplishments I didn’t know I would be achieving at this same time last year.  On and off the water, it was a lot of great stories.   I had closer relationships with sponsors and clients than ever before.   Back on the radio, Backwaters, Beaches and Bays radio is going strong and the “Yakkin With Neil” segment is every Sunday between 9 and 9:15AM.  
 
In my sixth year as a fishing guide, things were good but not always easy.  Removing snook as a client target: This concluded with just about the same result as when I did it in 2010 with only 19 snook being caught “accidentally.”    This obviously put a big dent in charters May through August.    The fishing for other species was strong and my “instructional” clients created the greatest pride an instructor can have.  Catching fish while on charters is great, but people going back out on their own and doing it so successfully?  Those are stories that it is difficult to determine who has more pride:   The clients or Neil Taylor.   There are others still in the building process to get there, but a whole bunch of STKF clients are great anglers after the experience.  
 
Writing, well you all know that I did plenty of writing.   I finished my fifth complete year as a correspondent for the St Pete Times, which has now changed names to the “Tampa Bay Times.”   I fished with Terry Tomalin and did a review on his book “Everyday Adventures” which is a great item to get if you haven’t already.  I have also been doing my monthly column for Coastal Angler Tampa Bay (Deep Thoughts, Shallow Minds), my regular “Kayak Report” for capmel.com and product reviews, articles and reports on b3fishing.com.   
 
There were some sad times in 2011.   Bob House became a client after Captain Mel Berman referred him to me years ago.   Bob’s health problems came on soon after the first time I took him fishing and even though he never said so, I know that it was very difficult.   Bob was my #1 helper for the Captain Mel Classic back in February.   He passed away recently something that brings mixed feelings.   I’m sad that he’s not around anymore, particularly with another tournament coming up, but I’m pleased that he doesn’t have to battle the illness any longer.
 

Mark Knowles: Open Division Trout Champ

The tournament?  The first I have ever hosted and a great learning experience for me.   157 people fished in the first annual Captain Mel Trout & Redfish Classic.   The participation was great but people really enjoyed the format and the fun.   It was a relaxed kind of event, benefitting Humane Society of Pinellas.  The fishing was tough but the participants enjoyed the event.   Strike Three client Mark Knowles chose the Open Division even though he fished out of his kayak and took first place in the Trout category.   “CB”, Craig Beach, who approached me years ago behind Caladesi Island to tell me that he got into the kayak for fishing after following my appearances on Mel’s radio show, won the Grand Prize category in the No Motor Division and a Native Ultimate 12 as the first prize.  

No Motor Division champ: Craig Beach

The Junior Division was the other category and at the weigh in, my nephew Garrett was kind of subdued about his day’s fishing.   I asked him if he caught fish and he said “yeah, but…”.    So I sent him to turn in his camera to the judges.   His 11.5-inch trout took first place.   With the structure of the prizes, if he caught a redfish of any size he would have swept the categories and took the Grand Prizes too.   He took his trophy with pride and is eager to do much better in the upcoming event.  

Garrett and his "unexpected win". Bad cold that day but 2011 Junior champ!

Congratulations to all the winners, and good luck to everyone in the 2nd Annual Captain Mel Classic (March 10, 2012)
 
On the water, there were some great stories.   This past November I got a call from Dave with a request to take his son Reid back out on the water.   It was a birthday outing, exactly three years from the first time they got out with me.  The fishing was much better this time around.    Here is Reid standing and holding a redfish from that day.
 
2011 had some odd things going on.   Baitfish did not return to areas of N. Pinellas County.   Time went on and still, no baitfish schools.   The redfish action was good for a while but they suddenly vanished.   Where did they go?   Redfish loaded up in wintertime locations during the summer months and through the fall.    STKF client Pat Kurtz, who also belongs to the Bay Area Canoe, Kayak club bid and won the trip I donated to the Classic.   She connected on her first redfish on lure and also caught BIG redfish.  Pat now owns a Native Ultimate, like so many other past client who also made that purchase this year.
 

Pat's redfish was a lot like this one caught by "Inspector Callaghan", a new Safety Harbor resident days before this photo.

Flounder made a huge comeback in the past couple of years.   From August through December, flounder were just a basic part of the regular catch but when actually targeting them: There were trips of 40 or more caught.   I can still see areas where they may be even stronger in 2012 but we can’t complain about the condition of that fishery.  
 

One of more than a few for "The Doc" on his visit to Florida, one of two trips he made with STKF this year.

Speckled trout were also great in 2011.   Now rolling into the New Year, the big trout are back and will be caught fairly easily for the next five months.   The smaller trout are all right, but it is much more exciting to fight the trout that are over 20 inches than the littler ones.   The biggest trout since I have lived here, caught but not measured, was approximately 33-inches.   The previous largest trout on my trips:  30 inches, achieved three times.   I’m excited about the trout opportunities in the weeks and months to come.
 

Trout were Laramie's favorite to catch. Until she hooked a redfish for the first time. Great success on the water for Laramie in 2011!

My monthly seminars continued at Bill Jackson’s on the fourth Thursday of the month.  There was record attendance at Kayak Fishing Skool and everyone in attendance all ten sessions walked out with a raffle prize thanks to my sponsors, particularly 12 Fathom Lure.   Skool resumes on January 26 with the topic “Speckled trout and redfish from a kayak”
 
An item that many of you are already aware of going back to 2010, I have been the site administrator for www.capmel.com since August of that year.   Over that time I have patched up things, repaired relationships with contributors, built up sponsorships and advertisers and got things back on track for a site that Mel created and brought to amazing popularity.   The past two months I have been rebuilding the site completely which basically meant moving the content from the old site to a much newer, more contemporary system.   The new site launched several weeks ago and there are a few things smoothing out but the site is basically 99% how it is supposed to be.   After my work on maintaining the site, as of midnight and the New Year, Mrs. Berman has transferred ownership of the site to me.   One thing that Mel Berman and I shared more than anything is ideals and concepts on education and conservation.   Those ideals he had for his site will continue.   The site, much like the b3fishing.com site, is a complete fisherman’s resource.  
 
Because of the radio program, I got to know all the other contributors to the program and web site.   These are great resources to use, an investment in your future fishing.   Captain Clay and Captain Greg are also starting fishing clubs around the region.   This too can be a great boost to improving your fishing skills.  
 
My best wishes to all of you for 2012!   In your fishing pursuits, may you be successful.   If I can be of assistance, it would be my pleasure.  Thanks for your interest in and support of Strike Three Kayak Fishing!

1.) They fish when the conditions are right.

When people ask me if they should go fishing tomorrow, my response is always, “yes”. I think that unless the weather is unsafe, people should go fishing whenever they get a chance. However, many of the most successful anglers go fishing when the conditions are right for the fish to cooperate. Now, this could mean that they pick their days or (most likely) they choose to fish during the part of the day that the spots they plan on fishing will produce. Tides (in saltwater), wind speed and direction, time of day, time of year and many other factors determine when the best times to fish certain spots are.

The most successful anglers plan their fishing trips around the factors mentioned above. They don’t have “favorite spots” that they hit every time go fishing. They have spots that are their favorites only at certain times and they fish those spots only when they conditions are right. Understanding how these factors affect the areas you fish and knowing how to take advantage of that knowledge will put you closer to be in the “10%”.

2.) They are properly equipped to meet the challenges of their fishing trips.

Being properly equipped has many aspects to it and if one link in this chain breaks, you’re not going to catch many fish.  We’ll start from the beginning. Reliable transportation is a must. If you’re vehicle doesn’t get you to where your fishing excursion begins, you’re not going to catch fish. If you’re a boater and your boat isn’t properly maintained and it won’t start or breaks down during the trip, you aren’t going to catch much. If you only take one fishing rod/reel with you and it is of low quality or is poorly maintained, it can fail on you and you’re not going to catch much that way either.

Let’s say you have all that stuff under control. You keep your vehicle, boat, tackle all in top notch working order. Now, you have to have the right bait and know how to use it. Successful anglers know, or have a good idea, what type of bait they will need for each particular fishing trip. They will do whatever it takes to get their hands on it and they know what to do with it once they get it. Whether it’s live bait or lures, the correct bait choice can make all the difference in the world. Also, on the rare occasion that successful angler aren’t sure what to use, they bring everything and the kitchen sink. For example, just today, a good friend of mine, who I would say is in the “10%”, knew that the fish can be a little finicky where he was fishing today. So he picked up some baits that he hadn’t used in over 6 months just in case. He started the day using what every other fishing guide within 50 miles had been using for months but the fish weren’t eating it. He broke out the “other” bait and proceeded to have his clients catch 50+ redfish.

Being properly equipped will raise your chance of sliding over to the “10%” column for sure.

3.) They are knowledgeable and experienced.

Everybody starts out in the “90%” category, I don’t care who you are. How long it takes to, or if you ever, transition from the 90% column to the 10% column is determined by how well you learn about fishing in your home waters and the sport in general. The two previous points are only attainable through this third point. Your knowledge and experience of your home waters, how the fish behave there, and how to be properly equipped for fishing there will help you determine when to fish where and how to be equipped for success.

How passionate you are about learning these things and your ability to put them into practice will be the determining factor as to which column of success you are in. The 10% or the 90%. Read magazines, watch fishing shows, join a fishing club (like the B3 Fishing Club in the Tampa Bay area we’re starting in January 2012), surround yourself with successful anglers…Most importantly GO FISHING. The more you fish the more you will learn. Experience is invaluable and you can’t buy it. Don’t be frustrated by failure. There is no such thing as an unproductive fishing trip. You should be able to learn what doesn’t work on even your worst days and simply as a matter of the process of deduction you will eventually learn what does works.

These are just 3 reasons that 10% of the fisherman catch 90% of the fish. There are many many more smaller reasons but these are the big ones. If you master these, you will soon find your self as a “10 percenter”.

It’s basically a wire framed rig that allows you to hook-up and fish with several baits at one time. You can use soft plastics, spinner baits and just about anything else you could think of with it (sans topwater plugs). It creates the illusion of a small school of fish swimming together as you work the bait.

There have been somewhat similar lure setups for years in our saltwater realm, Love’s Lures tandem lures come to mind, but nothing has taken multiple lures on one rig to the extreme as much as the Alabama Rig has. Not in saltwater or freshwater.

My reason for writing about the Alabama Rig this week is because ever since I heard about it, my mind has been churning. We often take effective fishing techniques and translate them to saltwater fishing here in Florida. Soft plastic jerkbaits, spinner baits, drop shot rigs… etc. Could The Alabama Rig be adopted here in our world of saltwater fishing in Florida?

Just think about it. Could you imaging slow trolling the Tampa Bay shipping channel with this. What about a smaller, lighter version for sea trout? Could you imagine the chaos of throwing the Alabama Rig at  a pod of tarpon on the beach? There would be a lot to work out with this type of system to have it translate to Florida’s salt well, but could it be done? What are your thoughts?

On the Backwaters, Beaches and Bays radio program on October 16, I talked briefly about kayak launches around the region.   They are very plentiful here compared to other places around the world, the United States and even for the state- kayak anglers have great water access around the Tampa Bay area.   This will be a general listing of areas to fish for those who may want to move around and fish more locations around the region.

“The Trip Around the Bay”
· Regions:    Northernmost area, Anclote River/Tarpon Springs
· Southernmost area: Emerson Point, on the south shore of Tampa Bay

I would strongly suggest that as you learn new areas; utilize aerial photography to preview the areas you will be paddling.   As for the launches, there are two basic scenarios for legal launches.   State or county parks or public areas where there is access to the water.   If you have a handheld GPS that is also a great item to bring along to guarantee you can find your way back to your launch location.  Mark the launch area at the beginning of your trip.   You should always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.

These are locations in the greater Tampa Bay region where you can expect to find water access for launching a kayak.  For public launches that are in neighborhoods, take great care to be as quiet as possible, shut off your headlights when launching before dawn and do not leave any litter in these neighborhoods.    For all launches: Be polite to other site users.  Do not block the water access with your vehicle or your kayak while doing rigging.   Be efficient and get your craft rigged and out of the way of others who wish to get through the narrower areas.

The Locations

Tarpon Springs-   The Anclote River, the boat ramp and power plant at the mouth of the river.  The ramp can be avoided by using the parking area for the picnic area to the south of the boat ramp.    Redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead and pompano opportunities.

Fred Howard Park-  Trout, flounder and redfish opportunities.
Palm Harbor-  Klosterman Bayou, Boggy Bayou, Sutherland Bayou.  Access for kayak anglers for trout, redfish and sheepshead.   Opportunities to fish here when “east winds” make other places unfishable.

Dunedin-

Honeymoon Island, Hurricane Pass, Caladesi Island.   Curlew Blvd becomes Causeway Blvd and there are launches to access the islands and the pass from Dunedin Causeway which is on either side of Causeway Blvd before reaching Honeymoon Island State Park.  Endless opportunities for various species of fish.   Caution:  Stay away from Hurricane Pass on outgoing tides with east winds.   Caution #2: Be careful of very bouncy water north of the last bridge going to or returning from Honeymoon Island.

Spoil Islands-  Dunedin Causeway, a feasible paddle to these man made islands.   Trout and redfish are common around these islands.

Clearwater south to Boca Ciega Bay:  Predominantly “ramp” launches.   Beach fishing possible in Clearwater, Indian Rocks, Madeira Beach (launching in most of these locations is aided a great deal if you have a cart).

Bay Pines Park- north to Joe Creek and Cross Bayou; south or west toward residential docks and mangrove islands

Belleair to Boca Ciega Bay-   Mostly boat ramp access.

Tierra Verde, Fort Desoto
Launches are plentiful for accessing various areas of Fort Desoto Park.  Access between trees between Tierra Verde to the Tampa Bay Watch property; access from around the base of the bridge; campground area launches and then many launches to choose to the left toward east beach or to the right heading toward North Beach.    Trout, redfish, flounder, pompano, mackerel, king mackerel opportunities.
1) Mullet Key
2) Shell Key
3) Tarpon Key- East Beach

N. Skyway to Pinellas Point

1. Pinellas Point-  Bay Vista Park at the very south end of 4th Street.
2. N. Rest Area and Tarpon Key-  Access to Skyway Clam bar and Tarpon Key.   Use caution around the main boat channel near the rest area.
3. Indian Key/Maximo boat ramp

Greater St. Pete:
Coquina Key
 Snell, Coffeepot Bayou
 Weedon- the Weedon Island Preserve to Christmas Pass at the mouth of Tampa Bay
Weedon- north; launch from Gandy Blvd beach
Weedon-Riviera Bay; from the Preserve, to the northwest
Gandy-St Pete “off anchor” pompano, cobia, sheepshead.  Heavy current.
“4th Street” – Before it runs into Interstate 275 heading to Tampa, launches to access areas to the north, northwest, south and west.

Upper Tampa Bay
Bayside Bridge, Allens Creek
Bayside Bridge, North Courtney Campbell Causeway.  Sewage treatment.
 Safety Harbor/Mobbly Bay-   Safety Harbor Marina, Phillippe Park
Oldsmar: residential areas off St Pete Drive
Westchase: Double Branch Creek, Upper Tampa Bay Park
A-Cut; Rocky Creek, “The Hotels”, Rocky Point, the airport area, Dana Shores
              The Legion Flat

Gandy Bridge: Tampa side.
Picnic Island-  Bayshore to the south.  Bayshore Blvd from MacDill AFB all the way around to Port of Tampa- tough access for launching kayaks

The East Shore

Palm River
Alafia River and Bullfrog Creek
Apollo Beach
Shell Point: The Little Manatee River
Cockroach Bay Lots of water to explore.   Find the holes, find good fishing.    Redfish.  Snook.
Simmon’s Park
Bishop Harbor 

The South Shore

Joe Island  The South Skyway Rest Area
Miguel Bay, Tierra Ceia, Rattlesnake Key, Critical Bayou; Custer Bayou; Tillette Bayou, all the way to the back.   From the end of the southbound I-275 exit ramp for the south fishing pier, the launch is over the guard rail.
Terra Ceia- Where US19 goes over the upper end of Terra Ceia Bay
Emerson Point-  Where the Manantee River enters Tampa Bay

For some individual launch suggestions, visit http://www.paddling.net/launches/.

Enjoy your kayak fishing in the Tampa Bay area.  Be safety oriented in your fishing outings and thank you for listening to Backwaters, Beaches and Bays radio!

Neil Taylor
www.strikethreekayakfishing.com

CLICK HERE!

A Change in the Air

The middle of September is upon us.   It doesn’t take a genius to feel the “change in the air.”   Air and water temperatures have dropped steadily and with that, more fishing opportunities arise.   The trend in local fishing has been significant and predictable.   Catches of three species have been consistent and will continue to accelerate through the start of Fall and for the upcoming months.

Comfortable days and beautiful scenery await you on the water!

Trout, redfish and flounder are prime targets for inshore anglers around the Tampa Bay area.   A variation of the Inshore Slam, flounder substituted for snook, the “Texas” Slam is one that has happened on nearly every trip of late.   Redfish and flounder have led the way and trout action will continue to rise as the hours of daylight continue to decline and cooler water temperatures arrive.

Redfish
A year-round favorite in the area, redfish stocks are in very good shape.   September marks a time when their traveling and feeding habits accelerate.   Located in packs of significant numbers of fish, they are often located on the lowest tides in specific areas with their tails waving out of the water.   “Tailing” redfish can be the most difficult to catch.   The scavenging redfish are usually in water that is a little deeper and are often easier to catch because their heads aren’t buried in the mud or grass.   In many of these areas, wade anglers or kayakers have great access and approach these fish with a lower profile and with zero noise.   The sensitivity of redfish to various noises is significant.   If they become aware of your presence, your odds at catching them are poor.   For the savvy angler, approaching from upwind allows for long casts to make it to the fish and better action of lures without the wind blowing sideways across their line.

One-eighth ounce jigheads and 3-inch paddletail lures such as the 12 Fathom Fat Sam Mullet are great for redfish.   More the lures at the slowest speed possible but not sticking to the seagrass on the bottom.   If floating weeds or thick turtle grass is present where you are fishing, try the SlamR or Buzz Tail Shad on The Edje jighead.   This will keep a lure cleaner than the exposed jighead.   Redfish will attack and efficiently thump a lure with a 70% hookup ratio when they are not in a “mood.”

Charles' first Florida redfish was a beauty!

Trout
Speckled trout continue their return to prominence after years of post-red-tide recovery time.   A species that spawns year-round, they have come back strong and will react very positively to the change-in-the-air.   The same lures used for redfish work fine for trout.   Targeting is different.   Where redfish stick to the shallows, a majority of the speckled trout will be in the water that is 3 feet deep or more.   The pace of the lure is similar to redfishing, but everything is done slower to keep the lure down near the bottom.   The same light jighead moved at a slower pace will finesse the lure down to where the trout can stay down in their hiding places and not have to move very far to attack the lure.

For targeting trout, it is beneficial to bend down the barbs on your jigheads and helps with the release of them without excessive handling.   From a kayak, the process is even easier.   A trout brought up to the side of the kayak can easily be released by running your fingers down the leader line to the jighead and then backing the hook out while the fish is in the water.    Take care not to get your fingers too close to the mouth of a trout.   Their fang teeth will puncture a finger easily.

Areas with deeper grass and moving water are great locations to find trout.   If there is also bubbled up water, that’s baitfish, a food source that will bring them to that area.   Trout may hit lures multiple times before they’re hooked.    With the tight line associated with moving a lure, trout will hook themselves with the right resistance placed on the fish when the strike is felt.    If the fish is not hooked, pause and then restart the motion of the lure allowing the fish a “second chance” at his meal.

Flounder
Mostly ignored by area anglers, flounder were also pounded by the red tide harmful algae blooms of 2005 and 2006.   Their return was much slower but 2010 saw decent numbers return and August and the start of September of this year have been excellent for catching this species.   Some flounder have been caught right against the trees on the redfish outings, but for serious targeting of flounder to get into volume stick to areas with more depth, sand bottom and structure.   This could be under bridges, along seawalls, around deeper oyster bars, creek mouths, Gulf passes or very deep sandy patches surrounded by seagrass.

Kym caught this flounder to complete her "SLAM"!

The SlamR and the Mullet are great options for flounder.   If the depth is more than 8 feet, particularly if there is also current, move up to a heavier jighead like a quarter-ounce.   The lighter lure will work but the added weight of the quarter-ounce will allow you to sink your lure down faster and work more bottom.    The strike of a flounder is somewhat different than other species.   Often your lure will be moving along and then simply come to a dead stop.   Don’t assume you have hooked bottom and lift the rod tip up high.   A flounder will begin to start swimming with the lure and hopefully the hook point will find a place to stick in the flounder’s mouth.   Like the trout, if the lure pops out: Pause and then go back to moving the lure slowly.   A hungry flounder will act just like a trout and strike that lure multiple times.

A Game Plan- Catching all three!
Do you want to set the Texas Slam as a goal for the day?   Targeting all three creates some choices.    There are distinct differences in where you will find these species so what will you target first?   There are a number of variables.    The decision should weigh heavily on your best redfish options for the day.   Flounder and trout may be caught in the same location, especially if there is good presence of baitfish and good moving water across a mix of sand and grass bottom.    They are more likely to be more cooperative for a longer portion of the trip.   So, in your trip planning, make sure you reserve your time for redfish at the time when you are most confident you can locate them in a feeding mode.   If early morning trips are your plan, you may try a few casts around bait schools out deeper for trout and maybe even a flounder but quickly shoot in to the shallows to chase redfish.   If you achieve your redfish catch, shift gears and get back out to your deeper venues and start working for the other species.

If skies look like this: You should be into some action!

When the sun gets up higher, trout can still be caught although usually the bigger trout are feeding before it gets too late in the morning.    Moving on to your flounder, consider that heavier jighead and then make a habit of fishing areas that have that sand bottom and keep that lure in contact with it.    The actual capture of flounder can be frustrating.    They have hard mouths and many come off during the battle, many time right next to the boat or kayak.   A landing net can be used to help or just make a habit of launching these fish into your craft as quickly as possible.

Dr. Brian L. with a fat flounder completing his "Slam"

Know your regulations:

Redfish: Possession limit is one fish per licensed angler, at least 18-inches and not over 27-inches.   (Note:  I personally do not recommend keeping a redfish under 21-inches, it is simply very little meat for a fish that is harvested)

Spotted seatrout: Possession limit is four fish per angler (South zone, five in the North or Northeast) with a slot size of “15 to 20 inches”.    One of your trout in your bag limit may be over 20-inches.   (Note: I personally do not recommend keeping the trout over 20-inches.   They are a drum and the meat becomes more like drum meat the larger they get)

Flounder: Possession limit is ten fish per angler statewide with a minimum length of 12-inches (Note: I personally do not keep flounder that are under 14-inches for the same reason I release redfish that are 18 to 20 inches:  If you fillet one out, and compare it to a larger fish, you’ll know why.)

The Change In The Air means other opportunities too!   These three species, however, are providing a great amount of action and will be mainstays for months to come!     Enjoy your fishing and as always: Be careful out there!

Neil Taylor
“Instructional Kayak Fishing”
www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345
LivelyBaits@aol.com

Approach:

Like any redfish you’re attempting to get a cast on, the ideal approach is from upwind and with the sun at your back. This does two things for you. Having the wind at your back will enable you to make long casts and having the sun at your back make it harder for the redfish to see you.

Whether you do or do not have the opportunity to approach tailing reds from either of those directions (wind and sun) always approach with stealth. Wading, poling, and the use of a trolling motor are all effective ways to get as close to these fish as you need to be to get a good cast on them.

Though tailing redfish are preoccupied with feeding and often not as spooky as “milling” or “cruising” fish, you still should make every effort not to spook them. Avoid using your outboard, slamming hatch lids, dropping things in the boat or stomping your feet during approach.

Bait Choice:

As far as live bait goes, it’s hard to beat a live or dead shrimp rigged on a jig head for tailing redfish. Remember that they have their nose down and are concentrating on bottom feeding. When they are tailing, the use of a jig head can be very effective because you need to get that bait down to their level of feeding; the bottom.

When it comes to lure fishing for tailing redfish, it’s hard to beat tube baits such as Berkley Power Tubes, Zoom Tubes and Tubes from Exude. You can rig these either on a jig head or with a weightless worm style hook with a bullet weight placed on the line above the bullet weight.

Other effective baits are soft plastics rigged on jig heads and gold spoons (slowed down when the boat reaches the fish).

Presentation:

This is one of the most important aspects of effectively catching redfish when they’re tailing. When a redfish has his nose down, like he does when he’s tailing, your presentation must bring your bait very very close to the fish in order to grab the attention of the fish. The best way to do this is to try to discern which direction the fish is facing (left, right, at you, away from you) and throw your bait a couple of yards beyond the fish but on a close enough line to be able to bring the bait within a foot of the head of the fish. After you cast, you don’t need to really “work” your bait. You need to just reel it up close to the fish and drop it right next to the tailing red’s head. If the fish doesn’t take the bait on, or shortly after, you drop it next to it’s head, then you need to begin working the bait. Once the bait gets 5 yards from the fish, reel up and repeat the process.

Tailing fish are focused on the bottom and focused on what they are feeding on. They won’t be very aware of baits that are coming by them even at distances as close as 3-5 feet. They have their attention firmly focused downward. So to consistently and effectively get these fish to take your offering, you need to follow the above steps and make sure you’re getting your bait in their line of sight and smell.

If you have any questions that were not answered in this article, feel free to post them in the comments below or give us a call during the next show. We’d love to help you in your pursuit to be more effective at catching tailing redfish!

With hopes that these drops always feel cool on your skin...

Coffee can have an influence in other parts of life as well.   One particular morning, I’d grabbed a cup at a drive-through, carelessly moving too fast, banged it on the window frame and dumped the scalding brew in my lap.   I will not repeat what I said at the time but this was not one of my greatest moments.   While I did not go the way of Cosmo Kramer (a la “faulty lid”) or Stella Liebeck (“it was too hot and burned me”) the experience got into my psyche.   That night, while asleep there was “the dream”.   So realistic, a common scenario for me, I was out in the kayak and clouds appeared above.    The rain started to fall and I was met with intense, stinging pain on the skin.   What is this?  I looked down and it was a brown colored rain.   It was raining the scalding hot coffee.   Dream analysts dig deep for an explanation.

I won’t even address the topic that I would like to conduct a seminar for fast food employees on proper installation of drink lids.   I am proud to say that with experience, these things seem to happen less frequently.  Aside from drinking this, my most favorite pre-fishing morning beverage:

Amusing.  Frustrating.   What can happen to my beloved coffee?

“On the way out to the water”
Does it even make the trip?   At the end of the day I have found my brew on the counter at the house, on a table by the door, in the garage and on top of the mailbox.
Inadequately secured, I have dumped it inside the vehicle making a simple turn.
Or perhaps- After a stop for ice, breakfast and the largest hot liquid magma drink they sell, I will set some things down to put other things in the vehicle.   This is a setup for sadness:  On the roof of the van, I will hear that sliding noise as I pull out of a parking lot followed by the “sploosh” sound and a Styrofoam cup appearing in the rear view mirror…and steam (insert pouty face here).

All contents of the grocery stop left on the roof. What would you miss first?

“Rigging and pre-launch” perils
Left on a post after setting it down while rigging the boats, left in the vehicle cupholder and discovered seven hours later are more examples of caffeine opportunities lost.
Dragging the kayak to the water: I have found it tipped over in the boat or in the sand, contents returned to Mother Earth.

Coffee abuse!

On the water- ah yes, when I “do remember to bring it along” and “don’t spill it”
Paddle-drip in the coffee making it a little salty- This separates the men from the boys.   This coffee is still good!

The dreaded out-of-sight-out-of-mind move -Found hours later, untouched and “air temperature” in the crate.  Void of caffeine all morning I’m feeling a little lethargic for some reason today!  See “slightly salty” above: This is still a worthy drink!

Another common result for my coffee: Simply dumped right in the bottom of the kayak.  This is something that happens less than it did since Native watercraft came out with the bottle holder accessory but careless placement of my coffee will usually result in a creamer colored puddle that I get to look at the rest of the day.    I have considered scooping it back into the cup and drinking it anyway but remain concerned what my mother would say if she found out.

Coffee is here to stay with fishermen around the world.   With that, the stories should keep on coming!   My best wishes that you get to drink it more than you talk about what happened to it.

Neil Taylor
www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345
LivelyBaits@aol.com

"Something violent is about to happen"