The time has come yet again, when the great schools of migratory Tarpon arrive to our beaches and offer us a chance to hook into one of the mightiest saltwater fish of all, the Silver King. I've been finding fish with relative consistency along the beaches lately. Most of the fish are too preoccupied with spawning and barely even glance at my offerings however there is always those random suicide fish that are looking for an easy offering. These are the fish that don't think twice about eating your fly, they usually make for some incredible in your face eats and instantly jump to the sky. Flies that have been working well for me are the typical toad patterns and EP style flies. Dark colors have been working early dawn while the lighter shades are the ticket when the sun gets up a little in the sky. Weekdays are always the best time to get out but despite the crowds on the weekends we still have managed to get some fish. Give me a call if you want your shot at the Silver King on Fly.

It's feeling more and more like summer everyday in the Tampa Bay area. With water temps in the mid to upper 70's in Tampa Bay the Fly Fishing has been fantastic. Snook are beginning to make their appearance and are hungry! Night time dock light fly fishing has been a sure way to catch a few line siders, while searching the clear water flats near structure, holes, and drop offs is another great way to locate them during the day. Flies that work well during the day are olive/white, chartreuse/white, yellow/white baitfish patterns and clousers for deeper water. Under the lights any small white, flashy fly should get the job done. Reds are spread out on the flat this time of the year and can also be found around lighted docks at night. They will eat a size 4-6, dark brown/black toad style crab, bendback, or a clouser on the flats. The Tarpon are beginning to show at some select locations. These are all resident fish that are just becoming active and feeding. The big schools of migratory fish will begin to show in our waters this May through the summer. I have all the necessary Tarpon equipment needed for fly fishing as well as all the best flies. I specialize in shallow water sight fishing with the fly rod but will take out light tackle artificial charters as well.

Book your next fly fishing adventure with Capt Brian Jill and the Lost Coast Anglers and fly fish in the shallow waters of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico for Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Trout, and more!!!

Capt Brian Jill
www.lostcoastanglers.com

With water temps in Tampa Bay hovering in the upper 60s to low 70s the fish are finally starting to thaw out and the fly fishing is improving. The weather is beginning to look more like spring each day with the wind and water settling down. Big black Drum are back and invading Tampa Bay, getting them on the fly is a blast! Bright color crab patterns have been the ticket for these beasts. These fish average 40-50 lbs and will easily give a 20 minute fight. The trout bite is improving over grass flats and some larger fish have been spotted around spoil islands and around sandy pot holes. Reds are still around and can be found in groups patrolling the shorelines and oyster bars. An accurately places fly will usually get their attention. Small baitfish flies and dark crab patterns have been working well. Mackerel are being caught on fly as well and this should pick up as the water gets a bit warmer. The Snook should start to show soon around grass flats adjacent to creek mouths, along shorelines, and at night around docks looking for a bite.


Tampa Bay Tarpon season is right around the corner. Reserve your trip now with Capt. Brian for May-August for some prime time Tarpon action on the fly!!!

Capt. Brian Jill

Synopsis

"This book will be invaluable to novice or experienced tarpon fly fishermen. Bill Bishop has addressed the mental, physical, humorous, and technical aspects of fishing for tarpon, writing in such a way that is both entertaining and instructive. I really like his style."—Lefty Kreh Artist and ardent angler Bill Bishop tackles all aspects of tarpon fishing—from building leaders to bringing them in quickly. Each chapter explores the core aspects of tarpon fishing in detail, including step-by-step instructions for tying IGFA leaders, the nuances of finding, casting to, hooking, and fighting giant tarpon, and insights and tips for running the boat, seeing fish, and reading the fish's behavior. In addition to the technical aspects, Bishop's stories and humor take a look at the personal side of fishing, reminding us that despite the sometimes-serious undertaking of battling a 150-pound tarpon, fishing is still supposed to be fun. With over 120 detailed pen-and-ink illustrations and photos by Mark Hatter, this book will help anyone who wants to hook, and land, more silver kings.

Biography

Bill Bishop is on the water over 150 days a year, fishing the waters of Boca Grande and Homosassa. His illustrations and artwork have appeared in several fly-fishing books and magazines. He lives in Orlando and Boca Grande, Florida.

Recently, I got the opportunity to demo the new push pole from Loop tackle. Although new to the push pole game, Loop has designed one of the lightest and strongest push poles on the market. Through rigorous product development and testing Loop has produced an incredible fishing tool made from high quality carbon fiber that is feather light yet rigid enough to hold a larger skiff into the wind and current. This push pole is sectional and built to very tight specifications. It incorporates a ridged scrim surface that provides an unparalleled grip, even when wet! The joints are bonded using a proprietary process that guarantees a strong, sealed joint. The ferrules that connect the five-foot sections are made from graphite which makes for a lightweight connection that flexes evenly with the rest of the pole.

The chilly winds of December brings with it schools of hungry Redfish and large negative low tides during the middle of the day. Redfish can be found on most of the flats of Tampa Bay this time of year in larger groups either pushing big head wakes or (if your lucky to time it right) pointing their tails to the sky.

Some of our recent trips out we have hooked multiple Reds on fly, fish some of which were in the double digits. We have been getting most of our fish on toad style crab patterns tied in dark colors. All of our fish are sighted, either as cruising fish or tailing which both make for an exciting, in your face, fishing experience. Our Redfish season will be great all through the winter time and although it can get a bit chilly around our area this time of year there are still plenty of perfect sunny days to be had! Book your next Redfish trip with Capt Brian Jill.

Capt Nick Angelo with a nice Tampa Bay Redfish

Greg Peterson with another nice Red caught on a Black Crab fly