Question for Florida hunters...

Ed L.

Ed L.

Well-known member
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The wife is on her third interview so we're flying into Tampa tomorrow night to a look about for the weekend. Is there anyone here that hunts/fresh water fishes the Tampa and surrounding area that might offer a look into opportunities. Scouring the maps and arials there are many lakes and potholes but knowing whats private and public or just plain off limits is hard to pick out. Certainly not asking for your honey hole or inviting myself. I'm just trying to get a feel for the area. I'm wondering if I need to sell my decoys and buy a set of golf clubs!

PM me if you'd rather.

Thanks,

Ed L.
 
I don't know about the duck hunting or freshwater fishing in that area but I can tell you that from what I know, the saltwater fishing is outstanding. Inshore you have great fishing for speckled trout, redfish, snook & tarpon. Offshore you have spanish & king mackeral, grouper, snapper, amberjack, grunts, porgies, etc...
The grassbeds in & around Tampa Bay are on the comeback, lots of resources & maps on where they are & where you can/can't use motors. I have heard that there are lot of bluebills on the bay in winter.
 
Bring the blocks, trading those in for a set of clubs would be sacrilegious, join United Waterfowlers of Florida, good resource, FWC also has some good resources.

Blue wings are here, saw a few flocks last weekend further up the coast near cedar key.
 
Ed,

I was just in that area two weeks ago and have gone several times to fish, granted it's been the salt. I can point you in a couple decent salt locations for grouper/mackeral but won't be any help for freshwater. I've a friend in Sarasota and can ping him for some fresh water areas if you like.
 
Join UW-F $25 and get access to our private member only forum, easily worth $25. Consider it an investment in research for your decicion making process. Members will hook you up Ed. We have a bunch of members on our left coast.

www.unitedwaterfowlersfl.org

We take credit cards and paypal

Hitch
 
Hitch,

I went and checked out the site and membership purchased.

Thanks,

Ed
 
Thank You Ed.

Believe me it's worth it, and Tampa ain't too far away from my marsh, BTW.

Hitch
 
Hey Ed -

I think you need to trade in the dekes for some gold clubs and sell that new Fatboy to me as you won't need that either. I'll even drive over and pick it up.

Mark W
 
I was in your exact position two years ago. Matter of fact, we moved to Orlando on Sept 8th, 2006. Comming from the Great Lakes area, it was duck hunting culture shock, but it is survivable! I found a friend of a friend and got out into Tampa Bay for a few layout hunts. There are definitely birds out there! You can also find several waterfowl guides running in Lake Okachoobie (sp?) and there are several public WMAs. There is a federal refuge on the Space Coast, though I think blind reservations may have already been drawn. Two years later, my wife's career took another turn and we are back in NY. I enjoyed living in FL and the hunting was a cool experience. The highlight for me was when a group of dolphins cruised through our decoys on Tampa Bay. That NEVER happens while hunting Lake Erie!

Tom
 
Mark,

LOL......Very funny......You'll have to get your own. I think I'll keep the fatboy! I think for what you're wanting to do a Fatboy would be good for you but I wouldn't get rid of the Hofgren.

So far all I'm seeing down here is houses! I did start to pull into a country club but decided it was a little rich for my blood when I watched a Prowler and a couple of Jags drive out.

Ed L.
 
Tom,

Thanks for the insight. There's a lot to learn down here. I wonder what Dolphin tastes like......JUST KIDDING!!!

Ed L.
 
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