New to the area - Palm Harbor - St. Joseph's Sound - Kayak

[Gypsies Call]

Hi All - new to the area, but have followed the forum posts regularly for the past several years - from Snookmeister to Harbison and to Bassin Assasin - and everyone else! You guys rock! Hopefully one of these days I will be honored to cast a line next to you!

So - as the title said - I'm new to the area, and now live in the Palm Harbor (Crystal Beach). I relocated from Jacksonville, and am very familiar with the waters up there, targeting reds, trout, flounder, etc. But - trying to get the real skinny on the water here.

I have a kayak and thus far have only fished Greens Bayou - the small canal that goes into Crystal Beach. I see on Google Maps that further north is Boggy Bayou and then Klosterman Bayou. To the south is Sutherland Bayou. That is about the range of my kayak without loading it on the truck.

I've been throwing some topwater (spook jr, etc) and plastics - nothing much so far... some small flounder and small trout. I'm using 10lb braid w/ 30lb fluorocarbon leader.

I'm fishing holes, cuts, etc. as well as open water flats behind the house.

So - enough of that - would appreciate any advice anyone can give to a newbie to the area. I'd like to get on some snook, reds, trout...

Thanks bunches!

Gypsies Call

[CodyS]

Sounds like you are doing everything right. With artificials you might want to downsize your leader to 15-20 on the clear flats. 30 for around structure like docks and mangroves in case you hook into a nice snook. It will take a little bit to get fishing with artificals down but once you get the hang of it you will never want to use bait again.

While you are learning/practicing with lures you could bring an extra rod to throw out some ladyfish chunks or shrimp while you throw artificals on your other rod.

[Gypsies Call]

Thanks Cody - I've got some 20# also... will keep that in mind. Not sure if another rod for bait is an option yet - still figuring the kayak thing out too, but its fun and a completely different type of fishing.

Are there snook in the bayous this time of year or did they go way up rivers? Seems like many of the posts that talk about catching them now are pretty far back and I'm not sure the areas I'm fishing are good for them or not. I've caught a few in years past, but mostly summer months while vacationing down here out by the beach... of course, reds and trout are good too. Its just a matter of finding them and knowing their patterns.

I will keep scouting around - lots and lots of water within a short distance. This place is awesome!

[~~Mutt~~]

I see on Google Maps that further north is Boggy Bayou and then Klosterman Bayou. To the south is Sutherland Bayou.

Boggy Bayou is the best around here. Right now ...fish the "beaches" as I call them between the docks to the south... they hold the snook. Was busting them up with the spook and DOA. Reds hang in the mud till the tide starts moving. Fish them along with trout and ladys in the flats in the center.. You can see where the flats start on Bing or Google maps..


Klosterman you have to go way far up to get to the snook right now...but when they are on the move to go to Honeymoon around May... Hit those spoil Islands ...especially the last one.. You won't be disappointed.. Chum with Live white bait and then chuck one on the hook..That is the ticket there.. Shrimp won't last but a few taps... The back side are pretty good also especially when boat traffic is heavy.. Stealth is a must and throw into the sandy potholes...

Sutherland Bayou... What can I say about Sutherland... Good bait house..Good ramp... 4 min from house... I have fished that place to no end.. Used to be good for reds..before that last big red tide kill. About the only thing to try for is ..Mullet.. Pretty thick near the dock. Most the time ...black out the live well with one castnet throw.. Reds seem to be coming back at the mouth with a few snook here an there. Fishing should be closed in there for a year to repopulate. Saw some Manatee last week between the high wind blows in the first cut in

Now that I pissed a few people off for telling it like it is...LOL.. When all else fails.. Go to the HUGE spring just a couple hundred feet off the beach.. The grass flats yield some trout to play with. Nothing to write home about though.. I have charted the bottom @ 24 ft in the center. 72 deg. year round




An when all else fails again....... Load up and head to Ft. Desoto....I'm sure you have seen some of the reports from there with the big gators an so on in like 9 inches of water....

[Gypsies Call]

Guys - thanks for the suggestions... got my first snookie in a long time today! What a blast! Have a great weekend...

GC

[Moken10]

I live in crystal beach and kayak all around that area north and south.. PM me if you want to go wet a line sometime. I think I've finally figured it out after a few fun years

[stokey002]

I agree with Mutt. Hit up Boggy Bayou by Wall Springs. Great spot for reds and trout. I've had the best luck on the high outgoing tide.