NEW FEATURES for TampaBayFish.com (SUBMIT YOUR OWN FISHING REPORT, UPDATED MOBILE Web Site.)

I've added a new feature to the web site. SUBMIT YOUR FISHING REPORT. I know sometimes you don't have one and you would like to come here and see what has been posted BUT if you do it is nice to see "regular" fisherman sharing their fishing stories. It's real simple and easy click the link to submit a report and just say what you caught and where. This way if people want to look back through this BLOG and see when something was biting it makes it easier and a better resource for us all.

Here is how it works. Go to my "Submit a Fishing Report" site and fill out the form. Once it is submitted I will transfer the information to this BLOG and submit it for everyone to see. I can include LINKS to your Web Site, pictures and any other information you would like as long as it meets the "BLOGGER" Terms of Service. SO go fishing and come back and tell us about it. http://www.tampabayfish.com/TBF-Blog_entry.htm Please include all information you would like to on yourself or your Business to ENSURE I provide the correct Credit to the Resource....If you want to include a Picture send it in an e-mail to tampabayfish@gmail.com

Hey ever thought about just advertising your BUSINESS by Sponsoring a Weekly fishing report. Easy enough! Just enter your Business NAME and your WEB SITE URL as the source of the report and its done and it's FREE.

ALSO I updated the MOBILE WEB Site to be more friendly for iPhone and Android based Touch screen Users with a better Bright sunlight COLOR Scheme. Check out local Radar, Weather Reports, And FIshing Regulations. Thanks again and Tight Lines!

Easter WEEKEND Fishing Report

Date: 23-24 April 2011

What is Biting: It looks like the weather is going to be perfect this weekend to hit the water and find some Redfish and Trout on many of the local FLATS. I myself plan to head to the Ft. Desoto Treasure Island area and hit the flats along west side of the 275 highway just prior to the skyway toll. The Redfish have been schooled up with the mullet along many of the flats and have been caught by casting in behind the schools of mullet. My bait of choice has been a GULP Shrimp in the New Penny color. But top waters are enticing them to Strike as well and can land you some nice Trout bites. Spanish Mackerel have been all over the bay and trolling for them seems to work very well as does hanging out near the bridges and casting the currents. A nice flashing jig will work if you twitch it fast enough.

As for offshore and near the skyway in the Egmont channel and along the shipping channel I've heard the Grouper bite has been good and the Mangrove Snapper Bite has been good. I've even heard of Tarpon sightings already in the area.

Source: TampaBayFish.com (Trevor)

Fishing for the Everyday Guy.

My fishing day normally begins very early. It actually starts the day before, normally because I wake up before the sun comes up to hit the water when the light is just busting pink on the horizon. Something about the sun just peeking up when your already on the water and hearing the slurping of fish on the calm surface and the popping of a Snook in the mangroves or the splash of the Mullet catching some morning air. It is my church where I worship the greatness of the outdoors and the natural beauty that someone has put in front of us but is rarely admired for just existing. I'm not trying to be a professional writer but I do think that many of us feel the same way about the outdoors and we sometimes can't explain it to our friends or family what the outdoors means to us.
       The Night Before I head out I normally get my rods out and make sure that they are well lubricated and that I don't have any kind of issues with them that went unnoticed the last time I was out. I also check the leaders on them and I look over about the first 10-15ft of line to see if there is much wear and tear on the braided line. If there is I cut it off and tie a new leader on. 
My typical line and leader setup is a 20lb braided Power Pro main line with 15-20lb monofilament leader tied line-to-line using a Surgeons Knot. It's pretty simple and I haven't had it be the weak link in my rig yet. Next I think about the type of fish I am targeting and I choose the appropriate two lures OR Hook/weight combos to tie on. I normally use two Poles for ease of switching out baits fast and have two options to choose from while fishing. I then tie the lure or hook on using a Rapala Knot. This knot allows the lure or hook to swing freely on the line for more action. This is also a very simple and quick knot that can be used to change lures rapidly while on the water.
     The Day of fishing begins like I said before the sun comes up. IF I'm taking the Kayak I typically load it the night before also if not I head to my boat in plenty of time to get it in the water before first light. I normally load my tackle, a small cooler or just a quick bottle of water and a few ziplock Baggies and my fillet knife. normally I am the only one at my fishing spots, alone in the dark and nothing but the salt air and the soft winds to keep me company. It is great to fish and to be that one person in your own little piece of the ocean a truly relaxing time and a lot of fun when you start catching fish. Speaking of catching fish sometimes I switch between multiple lures so when I am done with one I try to keep it in one pocket of my tackle box so I can wash them out later when I get home and it doesn't get saltwater all over my other lures and corrode later.
     When I'm done it normally is just a matter of loading up and heading home unless of course I have caught fish. If I caught fix I try to fillet them at the shoreline so that I can feed the pelicans or other birds the remains rather than trying to throw the remains in my trash and waiting for two days before the trash runs. Once home I take all my used tackle, including my rods, reels and lures and wash it off with freshwater to make sure that I don't have any salt on them. Because if you have fished here for very long reels and lures don't seem to last as long as they do when used in just fresh water. Washing your kayak out and/or your boat is also a good idea. Flushing the motor on your boat is must but I don't think I need to even say that.

That's my fishing routine and I know everyone has their own habits and things that they like to do and maybe my routine will help you to think about some things that you might not have before. Like I continuously say. I am a regular guy, I like to fish and I have a full time job that supports my fishing habit. So the next time your out on the water and you aren't sure what your going to target or where your going to go think about my web site and hopefully when you come back you will check it out and learn something that you can share.

NEW Feature for TampaBayFish.com (FREE Editable Hotspot Map)

OK so it's a NEW Year and with a NEW year comes a NEW Feature. You've seen my hotspots Map, OR maybe you haven't either way this is a way for you to connect to the site and add your OWN Hotspots. Here is how it works. Google Maps provides the ability to UPDATE Maps with place markers, I have made custom icons for some of the local fish and will ADD more as time goes by. YOU being the fisherman you are send me an e-mail at tampabayfish@gmail.com and say "I want to be added to edit the HOTSPOTS MAP" in the subject line and I will add you to the map and you can begin editing and adding your favorite spots, OR just a spot that you caught something. The more we have adding the better the fishing log will be and the MORE chances other people will be able to catch fish.

      I've already populated it with some fishing spots and I ALSO added a BONUS, I've added OVER 100 Offshore Coordinates and Fishing Locations from my own personal List and some others that I have gotten permission to "DIVULGE". SO the Map is Live and NOW you can take credit for the spots that YOU catch Fish.
MEMBER HOTSPOT MAP
Once you've sent an E-mail you will be able to go to the GOOGLE MY Maps Feature and EDIT The Map. The only information that is needed By Google to Make it possible for you to EDIT the Map is to add your e-mail to the map as an EDITOR.      
     Remember Fishing is an excellent sport. It can provide meals, relaxation, networking opportunities, outdoor enjoyment, sight seeing, once in a lifetime experiences and just plain old FUN. But not everyone is an EXPERT Professional Fisherman and if you need a little help or a few local tips. TampaBayFish is the place to get it. 
      Some other sites are requesting that you pay $$ to be a member to add hotspots and they probably have a lot of knowledge and a lot of information that is very useful. HOWEVER many of us are just local guys that want to catch fish and know where to go, so paying MONTHLY to get this information just isn't worth it. LOCAL EVERYDAY FISHERMAN Know that TampaBayFish.com is the source for Down-To-Earth Fishing Reports for the average guy.

EMAIL ME and I will ADD your E-mail to the list of people who can add fishing spots and start fishing.