Charity Fishing Tournament

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benefit-Slam-Tournament-for-Hannah-Brannan-and-Family/176336891282

When: Saturday – December 12th, 2009. 6:00am until 2:00pm
MUST SIGN IN BELOW. ALL TEAMS MUST PAY VIA CASH during morning check in @ 6:00am.
What: Artificial Lure Photo release format that will count total inches of 1 Redfish, 1 Snook and 1 Trout. $20 dollar per person buy in or $40 dollars per team.

Where: Cockroach Bay boat ramp Boat Ramp. Check-in will be from 6am til 7am. The tournament will end promptly at 2:00pm. You must be at the ramp by the 2:00pm deadline. Any boat showing up after 2:00pm is disqualified. Period! Weigh-In will be at the Cockroach Bay ramp.

Rules:
1) This is a artificial lure tournament "NO LIVE BAIT!"
2) This is a 2 man per boat, team tournament. Kayaks will be allowed 1 person per kayak. 2 kayaks = 1 team. All teams must launch from the Cockroach Bay boat ramp boat ramp. You cannot tow/carry the yak by boat. Kayaks and Canoes are welcome!
***Team Kayaks must stay within 100yds of their team mate. ***
3) You will weigh in total inches of 1 Redfish, 1 Snook, & 1 Trout. Every boat must have one (1) digital camera with a corresponding USB cable on board. Cameras must be cleared with no photos on them. Each boat must have one (1) measuring devise on board. All measuring devices must be inspected by tournament officials. Each photo must have the entire fish, measuring board and tournament marker in the frame. No exceptions!
4) Wading is allowed.
5) Fly Fishing is allowed and encouraged.
6) Fish must be above the FWC minimum slot requirements, over max slot is ok. Any fish under slot will be DQ’d.
7) Each angler may only use one rod at a time. No soaking or trolling un-manned rods.
8) Since this is a photo release tournament, I encourage live release but if you’re going to take fish home for dinner, so be it. You will not be penalized.
WINNERS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE TOTAL INCHES OF THE THREE SPECIES – 1 Red, 1 Snook & 1 Trout.
9) You must check in at the Cockroach Bay boat ramp boat ramp between 6-7am. We'll visually inspect each boat, before launching "No cast nets, no live bait etc. shall be on any boat". Trailering is not allowed. All boats/kayaks will leave from Cockroach Bay boat ramp Boat Ramp. NO EXCEPTIONS!
10) No Chumming of any kind!


IF ANYONE HAS ANY GOODS, SERVICES OR GIFT CERTIFICATES THEY WOULD LIKE TO DONATE FOR THE TOURNEY, WE'LL HAVE A DRAWING AT THE END OF THE DAY. Please shoot me an email at erik.r.nixon@gmail.com. If you are unable to attend but would like to donate, please email me.

PAYMENT METHOD:
***Entry Fee: $20.00 per person or $40.00 per team****ALL TEAMS MUST PAY VIA CASH AT CHECK IN AT 6AM ON TOURNAMENT DAY.
We will take entry fee and donation money at the boat ramp.
This is a 30% payback tournament Prize Structure:
Prize Structure: 70% of the total pot will benefit Hannah’s family. 30% will paid out for Top 3 teams:
1st. 15% of pot
2nd. 10% of pot
3rd. 5% of pot

*** Special: Most spots on a legal Redfish will win something TBD ***

The rules are set. If you can't abide by them, please do not fish this tourney. This is meant to be a fun gathering of like minded folks to assist a family in need first and foremost. Monetary reward is secondary.
Good Luck and let's have a good time.

Fall Fishing in the Tampa Area

After a few outings in the kayaks I have to say fall is one of my favorite times to fish. The snook are very active knowing that the weather is changing and the water temps are moving all the fish around letting them know its time to eat. Look for the Redfish to be moving across the flats on high tide feeding near the mangroves, the Snook to be moving into the winter haunts in the upper creeks and areas where the water will warm during the day, and well the trout will be active all winter across a lot of the grass flat areas. The offshore should pick up also with some of the mangroves and grouper moving into the closer reefs. Remember to BUY AN EPIRB. Or at least ask Santa for one. It can save your life!!!

OCTOBER Fishing should Be Fantastic

October, the weather starts to cool the fish start feeding heavily there is a change of season adn movement in all the fishing areas. It looks like the beaches should be gettign prowled by some large Snook and Spanish Macks and the shorelines of Tampa Bay, South Shore, Phillipe Park and the like should see an increase in Redfish and Snook action with live and cut bait. Don't forget the fish are hungry and the change in the seasons is making them move from their summer hideouts transitioning to their winter haunts. This whole month should be fantastic.

Beach snook seem to be what's biting. Snorkling around the rock jetties yielded a wealth of Info on where the small schools of snook are.

FREE FISHING GEAR

Happy Father’s Day Weekend Sale at Fishing Supply LiquidatorsPRINT UP THIS EMAIL AND BRING IT INTO THE STORE THIS WEEKEND TO RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING SPECIALS!
FREE Fishing Poles for All Fathers!
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All Tubs OVER 5000 NEW ITEMS ON SALE! Buy 2 Get 1 Free Sale…
which equates to:
MirrOLures only $3.33!
Rapala Lures (including X-raps) only $3.97!
Gulp Packs only $2.66!
Premium Soft Plastics only $1.33!
Rapala, Eagle Claw, Matzuo & Mustad Hooks only $0.83 Pack!
25 Yd. TRIPLE FISH FLOUROCARBON LEADER ONLY $6.53!
PLUS PLUS PLUS…
Remaining Gulp Quart Tubs CLEARANCE $15.00!
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Enter Drawing to Win a Father’s Day Aussie Rod/Reel Combo OR a $100 Gift Card
– No Purchase Necessary!
Any questions, call 813-494-7542
Ron SimonFishing Supply Liquidators
Oldsmar Flea Market Row A East
180 Race Track Road in Oldsmar
Open Friday - Sunday 9:00 – 4:00

Sharks and More

Hit the water last nightjust to see if anything was really biting on the hill tide last night. We anchored up just under some lights and a few live baits later and we had our first Shark after that it seemed there just wasn't the warm enough water for the Tarpon to be up near the bridges just yet. we'll try again later in the month when that water hits about 86-88 we should be rollin in em.

Redfish and Snook Action Maybe even Tarpon

If the weather holds off a little this weekend the Redfish, Snook and Tarpon should be good bets this weekend. Target the Redfish near the flats and mangroves. If the tide is high the Redfish will be up in the mangroves and with an outgoing tide look for them to be flushed out onto the flats. Mangroves on the backside of Honeymoon island will be holding a lot of fish. The snook will be prowling the edges of the grass and Mangroves and in the early morning they will be moving along the beaches. Tarpon should be all along the beaches throughout the day. Look for them to move by you if your on the beaches but if you in a boat target the passes and watch for them as they head along the beaches to the passes. Nothing will beat a nice crab laying on the wide open sandy bottom as they pass by. Be Safe this weekend and Tight Lines.

American Red Snapper Season opened

Well my buddies at topdogfishing went out and limited out on American Reds and caught everything else they were after some gags, a few Red grouper and some nice AJ's.

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June 1, 2009, at 12:01 a.m. and will close August 15, 2009, at 12:01 a.m. The minimum recreational size limit for red snapper is 16 inches, and the bag/possession limit is two fish per person.Charter vessel crew and captain are prohibited from retaining the recreational bag limit.
In addition to your two red snapper per person, you are allowed two red grouper and two gag grouper.

Weekend Snook Fishing - Sat Morning

Looks like tomorrow morning the weather will cooperate and the winds will be perfect. Sunrise is 6:34am and the winds are suppose to be around 3-4knts W - WNW. This should make for excellent fishing early morning with the winds picking up later in the afternoon and our afternoon showers popping up. We will be targting the pass at dunedin and around the beach area of Honeymoon and Caladesi Island. The BIG snook should be laying in the eddy's and slack areas right next to the fast moving current. We should also be on the top of an incoming tide so between the turn there should be ample time to land a few nice sized monsters. Maybe even get lucky and spot a few Tarpon to throw at.
Tightlines!

Excellent Fishing Seminars - Tampa Fishing Outfitters

If you want to learn more about fishing or just want to meet experienced Captains or Shop for excellent fishing supplies. My buddy stumbled on the holy grail of fishing located in the Hillsborough-Dale Mabry Area this store Tampa Fishing Outfitters features excellent tackle and probably the largest selection of Costa Del mar glasses around. But one of the best features are the guides that come in to give fishing seminars. On their web site is the latest schedule but I plan to update my site with their schedule as well. Last night we met with Capt. Ike Carrasquillo of Flats Xpress he did a seminar on Summer time Snook Fishing. This was an excellent seminar and if your an old salt or a beginner he has tips and information for everyone. He typically fishes the Hillsborough River and if you want to fish with him check out his web site You won't be disappointed.

The Fishing Seminar is:
Topic: Fishing for Other Species
Date: June 2nd, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Good Fishing along the beaches and IN the Passes

We hit the water by 5:30am Mothers Day. It was a little windy and we headed out dunedin pass to cruise the beaches. We had heard reports of kings being caught by kayakers 200-300yds off the beaches. We tried our luck but only landed a few Spanish Macks. The Bait in the passes were attracting all kinds of Jacks and Big Snook during the strong incoming tide. Up on the flats we hooked up with some nice sized trout. We will keep trying and hopefully we can hook a Tarpon or two once the beach run starts.

Weekend Fishing

The weekend fishing should pick up with the stable weather and the calm winds. The Bay should see an increase in spanish macks and bait moving throughout the bay. The coast and flats in the intercoastal should see a big pick up with the reds and trout. ON the beaches just offshore should be good schools of King fish and some reports of early Tarpon.

Somali Coast Fishing Should pick up. (Fresh Chum)

Navy Seals 3 Pirates 0. The fishing should pick up near the Somali coast with the addition of fresh chum in the waters. Nice Shot! 25 Yards, In the Dark, Rolling Seas.

Weekend fishing should be picking up

With the small front that came through the fish should be moving around. Monday Night in our old channel I was able to hook a few snook and landed a 24 incher. Wednesday Night wading near Safety Harbor we saw a lot of hook up but were doing more exploring then fishing. looking for good spots to try at another time. The Kings should be offshore this weekend except the Wind is suppose to pick up so be careful. The Reds should be on some of the flats and the Snook should be coming out to the creek mouths.

NEW HOTSPOTS Posted - And Fishing Report

Well I decided to place another Hot Spot on my list and map so if your interested check out my Hotspots link on the left of the main web site. Now for the report.

On the water by about 5:30pm and we decided to check a few new spots and see what was biting for the night. We launched off the South West side of Dunedin Causeway and headed West into the Caladesi Ferry Bay. We threw a few top waters and a few jigs but nothing seemed to be biting. We then headed south across the main pass channel and fished the drop off off Caladesi Island. Nothing seemed to be biting there either. So we moved further west and south and drifted the flats south of the Caladesi Channel. WOW nothing there either So we ended up drifting the Boat Channel that runs parallel to the Causeway. This was the hotspot. Trout were hitting everytime we dropped our Gulp Jerkbaits. White or Silver and Blue worked Best with a small split shot or weight at the head. Rigged it weedless and dropped it to the bottom. Then Jerked it off the bottom pretty fast. On the fall seemed to be the best hits. We landed 3 keeper trout around 18 inches each and hooked and released about 8-10 small fry about 10 inches. the magic hour was the best time for hook ups and after dark the bite dropped significantly. The tide was incoming and it was a FULL MOON. Fishing was great. Look for a new Trout Recipe sometime shortly.

KINGFISH are coming SOON!

Well its just around the corner and the Kingfish will be making their way down the coast. The next two weekends will be good for early kings and some nice fighting fish. The smokers may not be in yet but they should be around the end of the month. Look for it to really pick up all the way through April and into early May.

This will be the beginning of the Early Kingfish Run along the Coast here in the Tampa Area. Some good spots will be about 10 miles out over any of the major wrecks. Troll till you hit one or two then stop and cast some long plugs for em.

Experienced Pilots Requested to Assist Family in Search

I do not know the family nor am I a representitive of anyone related but I feel if the more people ask the more help they may recieve. The Family of Marquis Cooper, one of the missing boaters is asking experienced Pilots to continue in the search for Marquis, Corey Smith and Will Bleakley. They have requested anyone interested contact them at mailto:nflsearchandrescue@gmail.com



See the related Article here. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/03/rescued-boaters-details-helpful-search-others/ on TBO.com

Boat Capsizes, 1 Rescued

If everyone here especially fisherman of the area haven't already heard. The nasty wind and weather that blew in caused a horrible incident that many fisherman won't forget nor will they take a simple fishing trip as no serious matter. As reported by TBO.com

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"The U.S. Coast Guard has found one of four missing boaters clinging to the capsized vessel today in the Gulf of Mexico and the Coast Guard said it has rescued Nick Schuyler, a former University of South Florida football player who was on a Saturday fishing trip with three other people."

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At this point they haven't found the others or indicated any other status. My Thanks as I'm sure of many other fisherman's thanks go out to the Coast Guard, Florida Wild Life Officers, U.S. Air Force Rescuers and all the other civil enforcement and individuals that put forth the extraordinary effort of braving wind and weather to find these men and with any prayers hopefully the other three will be found SAFE.



I own a 21ft Center Console and regardless of planning or watching the weather things happen that are unpredictable and regardless of judgement or skill cannot be accounted for.

Trout and Reds near Dunedin

The trout are hitting regularly and the reds are following. This weekend should be good for the Trout off Dunedin causeway. Live shrimp or Gulp swim baits seem to be the favorite.